Species Profile
Southern Royal Albatross
Diomedea epomophora
Quick Facts
Conservation
VUVulnerableLifespan
28–50 years[4]
Length
115–123 cm
Weight
6500–10500 g
Wingspan
290–350 cm
Migration
Long-distance Migrant
Also known as: Toroa
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Appearance
The Southern Royal Albatross is a majestic seabird with predominantly white plumage and black upper wings. Its massive wingspan, reaching up to 3.5 meters, makes it one of the largest flying birds in the world. The bird's head often shows a golden-yellow wash.
Juveniles have more extensive black on their wings and back, gradually becoming whiter with age. Adults have a large pink bill with a yellowish tip, while their feet are pale pink. There is little difference between male and female plumage.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- White
- Secondary
- Grey
- Beak
- Pink
- Legs
- Pink
Markings
Black upperwing, white body
Tail: White with black edges
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Southern Royal Albatrosses breed almost exclusively on subantarctic islands south of New Zealand, with over 99% of the population nesting on Campbell Island. During the non-breeding season, they range widely across the Southern Ocean, from Chile to Australia.
These birds are pelagic, spending most of their lives at sea. They prefer cold, open waters of the Southern Ocean but can occasionally be seen off the coasts of New Zealand and southern South America during their foraging trips.
Distribution
Diet
Southern Royal Albatrosses primarily feed on squid, fish, and crustaceans. They often follow ships to scavenge discarded fish and offal.
These birds are known to dive up to 5 meters below the surface to catch prey, using their keen eyesight to spot food from great distances.
Behaviour
Southern Royal Albatrosses are known for their incredible long-distance flights, often covering thousands of kilometres in a single foraging trip. They are primarily solitary at sea but form strong pair bonds during the breeding season.
These birds are excellent gliders, using dynamic soaring to effortlessly ride wind currents over vast ocean expanses.
Calls & Sounds
Southern Royal Albatrosses are generally silent at sea but become more vocal during breeding season. Their calls include a variety of croaks, whistles, and grunts.
During courtship, they produce a distinctive 'trumpeting' call, often described as a loud, resonant 'aarrrah'. Chicks emit high-pitched begging calls when soliciting food from parents.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs biennially, with pairs reuniting at nesting sites from October to November. Southern Royal Albatrosses form long-term monogamous partnerships, often lasting for decades. They perform elaborate courtship displays, including bill-clapping and sky-calling.
Nests are made of grass, soil, and feathers and built on exposed ridges or slopes. Females lay a single large white egg with brown speckles. Both parents share incubation duties, which last around 79 days.
Chicks are brooded for about a month and fledge after approximately 240 days. Young birds spend 3-7 years at sea before returning to their natal colonies to breed, typically starting at 6-12 years old.
Conservation
The Southern Royal Albatross is classified as Vulnerable due to its restricted breeding range and threats from longline fishing.
Conservation efforts focus on reducing bycatch in fisheries, controlling invasive species on breeding islands, and monitoring population trends. Climate change poses an additional threat to their breeding habitats.
Population
Estimated: 27,200 mature individuals[3]
Trend: Stable[2]
Population decreasing due to threats faced
Elevation
Sea level
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- 10cm x 7.5cm
- Predators:
- Adult Southern Royal Albatrosses have few natural predators at sea. On breeding grounds, eggs and chicks may fall prey to introduced species such as cats, rats, and pigs where present.
- Alarm calls:
- Sharp, distressing squawks
- Breeding age:
- 8-15
- Maturity age:
- 6-10
- Feeding times:
- Day and night
- Major threats:
- Longline fishing, habitat degradation, climate change
- Parental care:
- Both parents share incubation and chick rearing
- Primary calls:
- Loud, trumpeting calls
- Social habits:
- Solitary when feeding, social at breeding colonies
- Egg appearance:
- Large, white
- Feeding habits:
- Surface seizing and pursuit diving
- Breeding season:
- October to November
- Diet variations:
- Diet varies with seasonal prey availability
- Fledging period:
- Approximately 8 months
- Average lifespan:
- 30-40
- Call description:
- Series of loud, shrill sounds
- Daily activities:
- Foraging, preening, resting at sea
- Nesting location:
- Grassy slopes and ridges
- Number of broods:
- Once every two years
- Incubation period:
- Around 80 days
- Nest construction:
- Bowl-shaped nest made of grass, moss, and soil
- Migration patterns:
- Widespread across Southern Ocean
- Migratory patterns:
- Migrates across Southern Ocean
- Age related changes:
- None significant
- Prey capture method:
- Surface seizing
- Conservation efforts:
- Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, conservation programs in place
- Territorial behavior:
- Defends nest site
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, pair bonds last for life
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- Single egg laid
- Interaction with other species:
- Occasionally feeds with other seabirds
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them in the southern oceans, particularly around New Zealand's subantarctic islands
- Observe their distinctive gliding flight pattern with long periods without flapping
- Use their large size and predominantly white plumage for identification
- Join a pelagic birding trip for the best chance of spotting them at sea
- Visit breeding colonies on Campbell Island during the austral summer
Did You Know?
- Southern Royal Albatrosses can fly over 190,000 km (around 118,000 miles) in a single year, circumnavigating the Southern Ocean multiple times.
- They have a special gland above their nasal passage that helps them excrete excess salt from seawater.
- These birds can live for over 50 years, with the oldest recorded individual reaching 58 years old.
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