Newsletter / Blog
2012-07-05 Rare sighting - Black-browed Albatross – English Channel.
A Black-browed
Albatross was again seen in Alderney waters on 28th June 2012.
Black-browed
Albatross
The Black-browed
Albatross - Thalassarche melanophrys - is the most widespread and
common member of the Albatross family. It is circumpolar in the southern
oceans. They can have a natural lifespan of over 70 years.
Description
A medium sized
Albatross. It has a dark grey saddle and upperwings that contrast with the
white rump, and underparts. The underwing is predominantly white with broad,
irregular, black margins. It has a dark eyebrow and a yellow-orange bill with a
darker reddish-orange tip. Juveniles have dark horn-colored bills with dark
tips, and a grey head and collar. They also have dark underwings. The features
that identify it from other Albatross’s are the dark eyestripe which gives it
its name, a broad black edging to the white underside of its wings, white head
and orange bill, tipped darker orange.
Call
They bray and
cackle harshly at breeding sites.
Food
It feeds on fish,
squid, crustaceans, carrion and fishery discards.
Breeding
This species
normally nests on steep slopes covered with tussock grass and sometimes on
cliffs. In the Falklands it nests on flat grassland on the coast. They are annual
breeders, laying one egg, between September 20 and November 1. Incubation is
done by both sexes and last 68 to 71 days. After hatching, the chicks take 120
to 130 days to fledge. Juveniles will return to the colony after two to three
years but only to practice courtship rituals, as they will start breeding
around the 10th year.
Conservation Status – Endangered
It is classified
as endangered due to drastic reduction in population. These declines have been
attributed to the impact of incidental mortality in longline and trawl
fisheries.
Birdwatching
Ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures to
create a tour for your or book on one of the following Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures: -
Aves Western Cape
Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure.
Aves West Coast
Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure.
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