AFRIKAANS NAME: Bloubekalbatross
LENGTH: 95 cm
WEIGHT: 4 kg
Introduction:
Listed as Near-threatened. Sexes alike. Wingspan is 2.1 – 2.6 m. A thin black rim surrounds the white underwing and it has a small black patch or thumbprint on leading edge where the wing meets the body. It has a dark brow which gives it a stern look. The bill is a pale grey with a yellow tip. Juveniles are like adults but the bill is greyish with a black tip.
Habitat:
Mainly off continental shelf waters. Closer to shore than other albatrosses.
Diet:
Mostly fish, pelagic crustaceans and squid.
Behaviour:
Large numbers can be found scavenging at trawlers.
Call:
A loud, raucous waak when squabbling over food.
Migration:
Adults are most abundant over our waters from May to August.
Similar species:
Salvin’s and Chatham albatrosses.
Distribution:
Found off the Eastern Cape coast, especially during winter months.