Audio / Video
click photos for clips.
click photos for clips.
Southern Royal Albatross
Toroa
Diomedia epomophora
Royal Albatross are the most majestic of seabirds. And while
we see them often offshore I have just twice seen one while
returning from Ulva, across Paterson Inlet.
Their distinctive white body "saddle" between the wings easily distinguishes them from Mollymawk, their much smaller cousins whose black wings extend a black saddle across the back.
They are superb flyers, as one guest observed ...... any fool can fly, it takes real talent to soar like they do....
Many times while on passage in the Southern Ocean I've watched Royals for several 10's of minutes at a time, often in 3 parts of a gale, and not once seen a wing flap. About the only thing that seems to upset them is when they soar through the dirty air underneath a large sail.
Size 1000 mm
Their distinctive white body "saddle" between the wings easily distinguishes them from Mollymawk, their much smaller cousins whose black wings extend a black saddle across the back.
They are superb flyers, as one guest observed ...... any fool can fly, it takes real talent to soar like they do....
Many times while on passage in the Southern Ocean I've watched Royals for several 10's of minutes at a time, often in 3 parts of a gale, and not once seen a wing flap. About the only thing that seems to upset them is when they soar through the dirty air underneath a large sail.
Size 1000 mm
|
Southern Royal. Seabirds are generally far from melodious, but Royals have a gentle side to their calls. |
|
|
Flight. They apparently have the ability to sllep while flying... shutting down one side of their brain at a time. |
|
return to top of page
We welcome your comments, feedback, brick-bats and roses
so
If you would like to contact us please
photos on this site courtesy
Gilbert van Reenen, Cleangreen Images,
Ivan Tait, Peter Tait.