Some interesting feedback on one of the 3 Northern Royal Albatrosses that we saw on the Zest for Birds pelagic trip on Thursday…
The bird was sporting a metal ring on its right leg and an orange plastic ring on its left leg as can be seen in the photos. We have been informed that this is a bird from Taiaroa Head which is at the tip of the Otago Peninsula close to Dunedin on the South Island of New Zealand. That colour combination was used to ring the birds that fledged in 2019 which would make this bird 5 years old now. Unfortunately, because we cannot see the band number in any of our photos, we don’t know the exact individual as, apparently, some 30 fledglings were ringed with that colour combination at the site in 2019.
Nevertheless, it’s still interesting feedback and means that this bird was almost 10 700 km in a straight line from where it had originally been banded…!
Credit and thanks to Trevor Hardaker, Michael Manson & Skipper Grant Scholz for their contribution.
Interesting Facts about the Northern Royal Albatross.
- Impressive Travellers:
Northern Royal Albatrosses can travel thousands of kilometers across oceans, with this particular bird seen nearly 10,700 km from where it was originally banded in New Zealand. - Long Lifespan:
These birds are known for their long life expectancy, often living up to 40 years or more. A fledgling ringed in 2019, like the one spotted, is just starting its long journey. - Monogamous Relationships:
Northern Royal Albatrosses form lifelong pair bonds. They return to the same breeding grounds every year to raise their young with the same partner. - Largest Wingspan:
Albatrosses boast one of the largest wingspans in the bird world, with Northern Royals reaching up to 3.3 meters (over 10 feet), enabling them to soar effortlessly for hours.
