ML646566145

Detalles de la observación

Thrilling experience with this closely associating group of THREE. After spotting the fishing trawler/vessel from afar, we traveled towards it, hoping that there would be a feeding group attending it. As we neared, it became apparent that there were a significant number of albatross around the boat. In the group of Black-footed Albatross behind the boat, there appeared from behind a wave one, then two, then three much larger birds with gigantic bright pink bills, bobbing in and out of the wave troughs. After some initial pandemonium, we approached cautiously to observe. The birds took off as we neared, however these lumbering beasts stayed relatively close by, and we were able to observe them at length as they moved between albatross groups, seemingly sticking together when they landed. These birds were obviously larger and more heftily built than the Black-foots, and flew more sluggishly as a result, their occasional wing flaps seeming to take longer. They had a more hunchbacked appearance and, as the name suggests, they really did appear shorter-tailed (or at least the tail itself did not appear to project as far past the coverts). Extremely fresh in plumage: dark chocolate brown all over with a hot pink bill - save for a subtle blue-gray tip- almost as tall as the head. One was banded: 80Y. Photos TBA.