Diomedea antipodensis
Other names - Wanderer, Cape Sheep, Man-of-war
Bird, Snowy, White-winged Albatross.
Identification - 115 cm (45 in.). Darkest
of the "Wanderers". Adult male has a white body and black upperwings
but older males often have a mottled brown patch on their crowns
and brown smudge on their chests whereas females and younger birds
have bodies which in some birds can be entirely black.
Similar species - The Northern Royal Albatross
has upperwings which are almost entirely black while the Southern
Royal Albatross D. epomophora has upperwings which are white
with black edges and tips.
The Royal can be separated at close range by the
black edge to upper bill mandible. In flight the posture of the
Royal Albatross is more 'hump-backed'. Also the Royal lacks the
brown body mattling characteristic of the younger Wanderers.
Range - Breeds on Antipodes and Campbell
Islands. Ranges widely through South Pacific in non-breeding years.
Status - Uncommon.
Where to see - In more southerly coastal
waters in winter.
Notes - Previously Diomedea exulans
antipodensis. More inclined to follow ships than other great Albatrosses.
Also threatened by fishing methods used in southern oceans.
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