Diomedea epomophora
One of the world's largest flying birds, the Southern Royal Albatross boasts an impressive wingspan of 2.9-3.3 meters (9.5-10.8 ft), a body length of 112-123 cm (44-48 in), and a weight of 6.5-12.2 kg (14-27 lb). Adults are predominantly pristine white, contrasting sharply with their dark, often blackish, upperwings, which taper to black tips. The bill is a distinctive pale pink, typically with a black line along the cutting edge of the upper mandible, a key identifier from its close relative...
Primarily pelagic, spending almost its entire life over the open Southern Ocean, only returning to remote subantarctic islands for breeding. Nests are constructed on exposed grassy areas or low tussocklands, often on flat plateaus or gentle slopes.
Primarily cephalopods (squid), fish, and crustaceans; also scavenges carrion and offal from fishing vessels. Forages by surface-seizing and shallow plunge-diving.
Diurnal, Southern Royal Albatrosses are masters of the oceanic winds, spending their days foraging over vast stretches of ocean and roosting on the water at night. They primarily forage by surface-seizing or shallow plunge-diving for prey near the surface, occasionally diving to several meters, a...
The breeding range of the Southern Royal Albatross is highly restricted, primarily centered on the New Zealand subantarctic islands. The vast majority (around 99%) of the global breeding population nests on Campbell Island, with smaller numbers found on Enderby Island and Adams Island within the ...
Vulnerable
- The Southern Royal Albatross has one of the largest wingspans of any living bird, averaging 2.9 to 3.3 meters (9.5-10.8 feet), allowing it to glide effortlessly for hours. - They are true masters of dynamic soaring, capable of flying thousands of kilometers across the open ocean without a singl...