| Commonly
seen offshore, sometimes just beyond the breakers mainly in the non-breeding
season from April to September. They breed on sub-Antarctic islands, the
nearest being Macquarie Island. Usually seen gliding stiff-winged low
over the water, they use wind currents to keep them aloft. Occasionally
in calm weather, they will flap rather clumsily. Their food is mainly
fish and cephalopods but they will follow fishing-boats to take discarded
offal. Their wing span is 2-2.5m putting them in the smaller albatross
group or “Mollymawks”. There are several other varieties of albatross
seen offshore, including the Wandering Albatross with a wing-span of 2.5-3.5
m. |
