Snowy Albatross- the king of albatross

Snowy Albatross- the king of albatross Peter Langlands

Kaikoura is now well known as the albatross capital of the World. Not only for the sheer numbers of species that have been recorded but also for the accessibility. Large albatross come within only a kilometre or two of the South Bay boat ramp. One species, the Snowy albatross, is the most striking of all. Snowies are the largest of the albatross species, perhaps as an adaptation to living in cold climates, being the most southern breeding of all the great albatross. Yet Snowies will venture thousands of miles north and can be seen throughout the year at Kaikoura. Recently Snowies have been regularly sighted on offshore boat trips. The Snowy is distinguished by its large size which makes it stand out from the fifteen or so other species of albatross that are sighted at Kaikoura. Also as the name suggests the snowy is the whitest albatross and older birds may be mostly white, with only black wing tips. Another species of Wandering Albatross, the Gibson’s is the most commonly sighted of the larger albatross off Kaikoura, but Gibson'salbatross are notably smaller than Snowies. The second largest albatross species, the Southern royal is also often seen off Kaikoura but is distinguished from the snowy by having a black cutting edge along its’ bill. Yet the Snowy is the King. Albatross will often feed in groups, of many species when fish remains are discarded, and the Snowy will stand out. Most Snowies breed in the South Indian and Atlantic Oceans, so birds seen at Kaikoura are likely to have traveled thousands of miles- a true oceanic wander.