Happy First World Albatross Day

In May 2019, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels declared the 19th of June World Albatross Day, to raise awareness on their conservation crisis. Albatrosses are the largest seabird in the world. They come ashore only to breed, usually on remote islands. Southern royal albatross are the largest of the species; the male can weigh up to 10.3 kilograms and have a wing span of up to 3.45 metres. The yellow-nosed albatross are the smallest; weighing approximately 2.1 kilograms and with a wing span of 1.9 metres. New Zealand has a particularly high diversity of albatrosses, with 11 of the world’s 22 species. New Zealand has only one mainland breeding colony. In 1914, northern royal albatrosses were noticed visiting Taiaroa Head on Otago Peninsula and the first egg was laid in 1920.
The Royal Albatross Centre offer tours and are endorsed by David Attenborough who stated "Otago Peninsula and Taiaroa Head is a unique and very special place. It is a place that every visitor to Dunedin should see."
For more information about albatrosses visit Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, Department of Conservation and Live Ocean.

Illustration by Owen Davey Illustration.