Southern Royal Albatross
VulnerableDiomedea epomophora
Visual Identification
Southern Royal Albatross
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.
Size
Length
115cm to 123cm
Wingspan
290cm to 350cm
Weight
6.5kg to 10.5kg
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
White Black
Secondary Colour
Grey
Beak Colour
Pink Yellow
Leg Colour
Pink
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Elevation Range
Sea level
Climate zones
Subantarctic, Temperate
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
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.
Vocalisation
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.
Lifespan
The Southern Royal Albatross typically lives for 28 to 50 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 58 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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.
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
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Toroa
Family:
DiomedeidaePredators
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.
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.
Was this bird profile helpful?
Your feedback helps us improve our content
Community Experience
Community Ratings
No ratings yet - be the first to rate this bird!
Latest Community Reviews
No reviews yet
Sign in to be the first to review
Create Your Free Account
Join our community to rate birds and share your experiences. Creating an account is completely free and only takes a minute.
Your information is secure and will never be shared.
By creating an account, you agree to our Privacy Policy.
Similar Birds
References
- 2
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Diomedea epomophora. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22698314A132641187.
View source - 3 4
report, 1997: Moore et al.
- 1
website, 2000: Carey and Judge, Longevity Records: Life Spans of Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish
View source