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Royal Albatross
jmorlan

Royal Albatross (Diomedea epomophora epomophora)

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.
Location
Enderby Island, Auckland Islands, Southland, New Zealand
Date taken
6 January 2017
Scientific name
Diomedea epomophora epomophora
Equipment used
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
I'd like to hear that, Joseph! A great action shot.
 
a splendid photo, many tfs!! so sad that numbers of almost all these albatross species are declining so fast.
 
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
That's a great picture you've taken showing this behaviour Joe. Thanks for showing him to us my friend.

No doubt they're also threatened by all the plastic waste too!!
 

Media information

Category
New Zealand, Southern Oceans, Antarctica
Added by
jmorlan
Date added
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23
Comment count
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