Royal Albatross (Diomedea epomophora epomophora) 6 January 2017. Enderby Island, Auckland Islands, Southland, NZ
![]() ![]() This is from a group of young pre-breeders called "gams" displaying to each other. This particular display is called "sky-calling" in which wings are outstretched with the head and neck stretched upward. This display is accompanied by a cacophony of croaking, yapping and a whining call that sounds like a kazoo. This is the nominate race, sometimes split (e.g. HBW, IOC) under the name Southern Royal Albatross. This race is endemic to New Zealand with most of the population breeding on Campbell Island and a few in the Aucklands. They were extirpated from Enderby in the early 20th century but have returned with protection. Here I follow Clements/eBird, SACC & HM4 in recognizing only one species. This race is larger than Northern Royal Albatross (D. e. sanfordi) which breeds mostly on Chatham Island but a few also breed on Enderby where they hybridize with Southern Royal. Southern Royal has more white on its upperwing and along the leading edge and usually lacks a dark carpal bar on its underwing. Note the dark line on the cutting edge of the bill and the all white tail which help distinguish both races of Royal Albatross from Wandering Albatross (D. exulans ssp.). Southern Royal is classified as vulnerable while Northern Royal is considered endangered by IUCN. They both have extremely limited breeding ranges, appear to be declining, and are threatened by long-line fishing operations. Canon PowerShot SX50 HS. References: Carboneras, C., Jutglar, F. & Kirwan, G.M. (2017). Southern Royal Albatross (Diomedea epomophora). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/52500 on 23 February 2017). Marchant, S.; Higgins, P.J. (eds) 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds. Vol.1, ratites to ducks. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Moore, P.J. 2013. Southern royal albatross. In Miskelly, C.M. (ed.) New Zealand Birds Online. www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz Shirihai, H. (2007) A Complete Guide to Antarctic Wildlife. The Birds and Marine Mammals of the Antarctic Continent and the Southern Ocean. 2nd edition. A&C Black, London. |