Wandering Albatross and Royal Albatross.... What is the difference ?? (1 Viewer)

[Xelioszzapporro!!]

What are the physical attributes that distinguish the 2 species ? Like how can you identify that who is who ? Can someone please explain to me ?

 

[Richard Prior]

You need to move this new thread to Bird Identification Q and A. There is a new Seabirds Identification Guide book recently published by Lynx Publications which will answer your question very well I’m sure!

 

[Xelioszzapporro!!]

You need to move this new thread to Bird Identification Q and A. There is a new Seabirds Identification Guide book recently published by Lynx Publications which will answer your question very well I’m sure!

I see. Very well then. Can a mod move it to that section ? Because I really want to find out. Just started learning about Sea Birds. And Albatross and Boobys are my favorites.

 

[Richard Prior]

I see. Very well then. Can a mod move it to that section ? Because I really want to find out. Just started learning about Sea Birds. And Albatross and Boobys are my favorites.

I’ve tried request the move, fingers crossed! I agree, Albatrosses are out of this world!

 

[THE_FERN]

What are the physical attributes that distinguish the 2 species ? Like how can you identify that who is who ? Can someone please explain to me ?

Well first you have to decide how many species you're talking about. Many now split "wandering" albatross into 4, "royal" into 2 species. The most consistent difference, which can be difficult to see in the field, is that Royal (both types) has a black cutting edge to its bill. There are complex differences in plumage too of course—they depend on the particular (sub-)species and age

 

[Xelioszzapporro!!]

Well first you have to decide how many species you're talking about. Many now split "wandering" albatross into 4, "royal" into 2 species. The most consistent difference, which can be difficult to see in the field, is that Royal (both types) has a black cutting edge to its bill. There are complex differences in plumage too of course—they depend on the particular (sub-)species and age

Yeah now that you mentioned it I noticed that Royal Albatrosses have a black cutting edge to the middle of it's bill. Which Wandering Albatrosses lack.
Is that black line a marking ?

 

[Xelioszzapporro!!]

And someone told me that the nostrils of Wandering Albatross face upwards while the Royal Albatross faces forward...

 

[Xelioszzapporro!!]

And I just found another difference. Wandering Albatross have black spots at the end of their tails. While Royal Albatross don't
3 differences are easy to distinguish I believe. If you guys are aware of more differences then please add them even though like I said I can reliably tell who is who.
Guess now I will move to the next thread ''what is the difference'' between The Northern Royal Albatross with the Southern Royal Albatross. Tomorrow.

 

[Larry Sweetland]

And I just found another difference. Wandering Albatross have black spots at the end of their tails. While Royal Albatross don't
3 differences are easy to distinguish I believe. If you guys are aware of more differences then please add them even though like I said I can reliably tell who is wh

And I just found another difference. Wandering Albatross have black spots at the end of their tails. While Royal Albatross don't
3 differences are easy to distinguish I believe. If you guys are aware of more differences then please add them even though like I said I can reliably tell who is who.
Guess now I will move to the next thread ''what is the difference'' between The Northern Royal Albatross with the Southern Royal Albatross. Tomorrow.

"Wandering" Albatross can have pure white tail. As has been mentioned, it all depends on the age of the birds, and it's far from simple! It takes many years for these big albatrosses to mature, and they look different every year. You need to study the way each of the different forms (remember that "Royal" Albatross and "Wandering" Albatross involves about 7 different species) changes every year to stand a chance of identifying them.

 

[Butty]

You seem interested enough in the fine detail of albatross identification that it would be useful for you to buy a field guide?

 

[Tiraya]

When I was in NZ, I seem to recall the combination of size and black bill edge was a quick check for Gibson's wandering albatross versus royal albatrosses. The very young wandering in this scenario were very easy to distinguish as birds of this age were chocolate brown entirely, save for the face!

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

I was just on an Antarctic cruise. In most cases, when one of those birds flew by, the "professional" photographers took lots of pictures. Then after detailed examination of those by the seabird experts, an ID was made. So it's that challenging in the field.

 

[Garrulous Jay]

On a recent trip to Antarctica I became aware, for the first time,, that Wandering A's can have a pinkish splodge on the neck. Royals never have these.

 

[Garrulous Jay]

"Wandering" Albatross can have pure white tail. As has been mentioned, it all depends on the age of the birds, and it's far from simple! It takes many years for these big albatrosses to mature, and they look different every year. You need to study the way each of the different forms (remember that "Royal" Albatross and "Wandering" Albatross involves about 7 different species) changes every year to stand a chance of identifying them.

Good luck with that!