Hello, everyone! Today, let’s peek into the wonderful world of the short-tailed Albatross, the largest seabird in the Northern Hemisphere. This bird, with its large wings, is truly marvelous and watching it can be very soothing.
First, let’s talk about the size of the short-tailed Albatross. It has an overall length of about 100cm and can weigh around 6kg. When it spreads its wings, they can stretch an impressive 240cm. Just imagine that – over 2 meters! It’s like reaching from one wall of a room to the other!
The feather colors of the short-tailed Albatross are also stunning. The back of its head is a pale golden color, and the tips of its wings and tail are dark brown. It’s as if they were painted with a brush. As a young bird, it has black feathers, but they become whiter as it ages.
The Short-tailed Albatross can use its gigantic wings to skillfully utilize the sea breezes, allowing it to fly gracefully for hours without flapping its wings. It can fly at speeds of 70-80 km/h, and the rougher the sea, the faster it can fly. It’s like a dancer of the skies, using the wind to its advantage.
Interestingly, the short-tailed Albatross is an endangered species and is also designated as a Special Natural Monument. In the past, it was overhunted for its feathers, but now it is protected and its population is slowly increasing. During the breeding season, the males return to the island first, followed by the females. The sight of them diligently warming their eggs in simple ground nests is truly heartwarming.
The English name for this bird is “albatross.” This name, which is also used in golf terminology, is actually derived from the way the short-tailed Albatross flies.
That’s all for the fascinating world of the short-tailed Albatross. I hope you found this magnificent bird interesting. See you next time on “Bird Trivia”!
There is a donation site to become a monthly supporter of the short-tailed Albatross! If you are interested, please check it out (Japanese site only).
