The Bullers Albatross (Thalassarche bulleri) is a lightly built, small albatross. It breeds on islands around New Zealand, and feeds in the seas off Australia and the South Pacific. After Shy Albatross this was the most abundant species we saw on the pelagic trips out from Eaglehawk Neck.
As you can see they are a rather splendid bird. Like almost all albatross this species is threatened by forms of squid fishing but also (bizarrely) by the introduction of a flight rail - the weka - on to one of its breeding islands. That being said, a number of the breeding colonies are expanding, so the Bullers Albatross is considered 'near threatened'.
The bird is has a wing span of just over 2 meters and weighs in at about 2.75 kg.
If you get a chance to go on a pelagic trip, grab it with both hands!
As ever, to link up with WBW click on the link below. SM
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteThey are so... sculptural! YAM xx
A magnificent bird, wonderful images
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic. You must be so happy with them.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous albatross photo!
ReplyDeleteIt must be a thrill to see such an incredible bird in flight!
ReplyDeleteDignified bird! An admiral. Thanks for sharing your birds, and for hosting us. I'm looking in my files for some more interesting birds to share next week... From my California sojourn.... Aloha Friend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of this very large bird. They are amazing how the glide around with that huge wingspan. I hope all is well Cheers Diane
ReplyDeleteGreat shots, Stewart.
ReplyDeleteOh what an amazing bird, light is superb, photos are fabulous Stewart !
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! I was not able to comment yesterday, because I was using Chrome as a browser, and for some reason it wouldn’t let me comment, but Safari won’t let me see all your pictures!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if getting a new iPad would solve this. If only it weren’t expensive!