White-backed albatross (photo will be presented in the article) is a huge seabird. It is also the largest of the northern hemisphere albatrosses. These beautiful creatures are included in the list of the largest flying birds, because their wingspan can exceed 2.2 meters.
The name "albatross" comes from the Arabic al-cadous, which means "diver". Once upon a time, Karl Linay himself gave these birds the Latin name Diomedea in honor of Diomedes, a strong and courageous ancient Greek hero. This was a very accurate definition, since the bird fully corresponds to it.
White-backed Albatross: Description
Albatross looks pretty pretty. Adult birds have white plumage, a yellowish coating is visible on the neck and head, the upper feathers on the wings are black-brown, the edge of the tail is also black-brown.
Beak slightly longer than head, compressed laterally, high, bright. You can immediately see how powerful it is. Short nasal tubes are located at its base and on the sides. It ends with the claws of the beak and beak, which look like hooks. They are formed from independent records. The beak is much more powerful than the lower part.
The legs are short, the forearm is reticulate, compressed on the sides. The first back finger is hidden by a fold of skin. The color is light, blue or pink.
Only the chicks that were born are covered with dark gray fluff, their legs and beak are black. Slightly grown nesting chicks of chocolate-brown color. In young birds, the plumage is darker than in adults, white stripes across the wings. The beak is light pink with a blue tip, legs are beige and blue.
Molting
Change of outfits and the sequence of molting of albatrosses has not yet been clarified. It is only known that the white-backed albatross molt completely once a year after the mating season. It is assumed that in nomadic birds molting occurs in the summer. It lasts quite a long time, during the three summer months.
White-backed albatross: habitats, abundance
There was a time when white-backed albatrosses were observed in the Pacific Ocean areas, their population totaled millions. But because of the beautiful feathers, birds were killed without any restrictions. For example, at the beginning of the twentieth century, more than three hundred thousand birds were exterminated each year. This led to the fact that in 1930 their numbers decreased to several hundred individuals.
In 1949, it was officially announced that this species had become extinct. But one year later, on the island of Torishima, to a great joy, a small flock of white-backed handsome men was discovered, the genus began its revival with only ten pairs, which were considered the last on earth. The fact that they are able to spend at sea for up to 10 years, after which they return to the nesting, saved them from their final extinction. So these young couples returned home and found that all their adult relatives were exterminated.
And so began the restoration of the number of these sea travelers. Now people treat them with care, now the white-backed albatross is already protected. The Red Book of Russia “settled” it on its pages as a species that is threatened with extinction.
Today, only two colonies remain, in which there are about 250 birds. They live in the northern subtropical and tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean. Nests are found only on the islands of Bonin and Wake.
Lifestyle
The white-backed albatross flies well and swims just as well, but does not dive. The whole life of birds takes place on water and in the air, only during the breeding season they are forced to remain in the nests. Their flight is beautiful, soaring, long and fast. During the flight, the wings form a straight line with the body, the legs are connected to each other and stretched back.
An interesting fact is that an albatross cannot take off from the ground even with a run. To do this, he must find a hill, some kind of rock and from there, rushing down, go smoothly into flight. But they manage to take off from the surface of the water without problems. True, they do it with a run. The bird, quickly fingering its paws, runs through the water, stretching its neck and flapping its huge open wings, until it comes off the water surface.
An active lifestyle of birds of this species can lead both day and night, especially during the period of roaming. The white-backed albatross is much more careful than its other relatives, it rarely approaches ships. On nomads, he behaves solely, but if there is plenty of food, then 10-20 birds can gather in one place. They are quite silent, you can hear their gagging while feeding the chicks on the nests. And, of course, during disputes and fights due to prey, albinos make sounds resembling the roar of donkeys.
Food
The white-backed albatross for feeding is lowered into the water. He takes food only from the surface, never diving behind it and not grabbing on the fly. Food can be obtained both day and night.
The albatross diet includes squids, small mollusks, fish, and small invertebrates. Also, these huge birds do not disdain food waste from passing ships. When a whaling ship passes nearby, then the whitewashed handsome men begin a whole feast.
