Northern Royal Albatross

The Northern Royal Albatross is an endangered species of birds. It is found mainly on Chatham Islands, where they mostly come to breed. On the other hand, non-breeding birds are found in the southern oceans. When breeding, these birds nest in colonies. The eggs hatch inbetween January and February, after being incubated for 79 days. Thereafter, they are brooded for 40 days. The chick starts to fledge 240 days or 8 months after it has hatched. After the 8 months have passed, the chicks leave their nests for about four years off-land and return, in which they breed. The cycle repeats.

The Northern Royal Albatross has a thin white body, good for speed in the air. Its has large completely black wings which are 3.5 meters, the largest of all birds infact. It helps the Avian soar through harsh conditions and maintain its ability to stay in the air. Its pink bill, is sharp, therefor it helps in catching food at the surface.

These huge birds feed mainly on cephalopods, crustaceans, and fish. Unlike other albatrosses, these birds are surface feeders and scavengers. Their most endangering risk is being exposed to inclement weather. These astonishing birds are also at risk because of humans. Shame on us!

Works Cited

"Eye Structure and Amphibious Foraging in Albatrosses." Royal Society. N.p., 22 Apr. 1998. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://m.rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org//content/265/1397/665>

Martin, G. R. "Eye Structure and Amphibious Foraging in Albatrosses." Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015.

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1689029/>

"Species." Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea sanfordi). N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=30005>

Images

Flying Albatross. Digital image. Birdingnz. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. <http://www.birdingnz.co.nz/images/dmImage/StandardImage/SLEON_1867.jpg>.