Antipodean Albatross
NameAntipodean Albatross
Common NameAntipodean Albatross
Scientific NameDiomedea antipodensis
FamilyDiomedeidae
Wingspan (cm)280
Length (cm)112.5
Weight (g)6300
Plumage DetailsAdults have dark brown upperparts, including the back and upperwings, contrasting with a paler, often whitish, head and underparts. The bill is pale pinkish with a dark tip, and the eyes are dark. Plumage can vary with age and sex, with males generally having whiter heads and bodies than females.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include grunts, groans, and bill-clapping, primarily used during courtship displays at breeding colonies.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusendangered
Geographic RangeFound in the Southern Ocean, primarily foraging across the South Pacific and Tasman Sea. They breed on New Zealand's subantarctic islands, notably the Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, and Campbell Island.
Identifying FeaturesVery large size, Long, narrow wings, Pale pinkish bill with a dark tip, Dark brown upperparts contrasting with paler head and underparts, Characteristic soaring flight over open ocean
Description
This large seabird is characterized by its impressive wingspan, allowing it to soar effortlessly over vast oceanic expanses. It typically exhibits dark upperparts contrasting with a paler head and underbody, and possesses a distinctive pinkish bill with a darker tip. Antipodean Albatrosses spend most of their lives at sea, returning to remote islands only for breeding.
