2. ROYAL ALBATROSS
(Diomedea epomophora)
Plate 2

Two subspecies:

Southern Royal Albatross (D. epomophora epomophora)

Northern Royal Albatross (D. epomophora sanfordi)

The two subspecies can be distinguished from each other at sea by their differing black patterns on the upperwing, as described below.

Field Characters: 305-350/120. The great size, long narrow wings and white back are characteristic of both this species and the page 18

Fig. 6: The Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea epomophora sanfordi). Note the dark line along the cutting edge of the upper mandible.
— Photo: F. C. Kinsky

Wandering Albatross (1). With the Royal Albatross, however, the entire body plumage is white in all age groups, except for some black feathering on the lower back with juvenile birds (Fig. 2d, Pl. 2). The upperwing in the southern race is variably intermixed with black and white feathering and often shows white elbow patches. The wing progressively whitens with age (cf. Figs. 2a, 2b and 2d, Pl. 2). The northern race is notable for its upperwing being entirely black in all age groups (Fig. 2e, Pl. 2). The underwing is white with a black tip. The tail is predominantly pure white, although a few black feathers can occur in some individuals, especially immatures.

The large bill is light horn coloured to pale pink, with a distinctive black line along the cutting edge of the upper mandible (cf. Wandering Albatross. 1). This character is clearly visible at close range and helps to identify Royal Albatrosses from fully mature Wanderers.

Flight as for Wandering Albatrosses (1) from which it cannot be differentiated by flight pattern or wing position alone. Royal Albatrosses will occasionally congregate about fishing vessels for scraps, but have rarely been reported pursuing ships.

The northern race breeds at the Chatham Islands and on Taiaroa Head, Otago Peninsula. The southern race nests on Auckland and Campbell Islands. In New Zealand waters, Royal Albatrosses are less frequently seen than the Wandering Albatross (1), although they are locally abundant near their breeding grounds. Circumpolar in dispersal.

Fig. 7: A Wandering Albatross preparing to take off. In calm weather these birds are forced to run considerable distances across the water before becoming airborne.
—Photo: P. C. Harper