Shy Albatross

Meet the Shy Albatross, Australia’s only endemic Albatross. They breed on three remote islands off the coast of Tasmania, and are mostly seen roaming the Southern oceans. You can spot these stunning birds on many of our cruises around Phillip Island and Wilsons Promontory.

With a wingspan of up to 2.5m, they are a sight to behold as they soar effortlessly over the water, skimming the water with the tip of their wings. Up-close you can see their distinctive markings such as the black eyebrow and yellow tip of the bill.

They are masters of the ocean environment and can sometimes fly 1000km in 24 hours! They produce a special stomach oil, an energy-rich food source for chicks and for the adults during their long flights. They also have a salt gland that is situated above the nasal passage, excreting a high saline solution, to help desalinate their bodies.

The Shy Albatross is listed as endangered; it is believed there are around 15,000 breeding pairs left. The chicks hatch in December and fledge mostly in April. Immature birds return to their breeding colony at least 3 years after fledging. After 5-6 years, most Shy Albatrosses form pairs for life and begin breeding annually.

Shy Albatross can live up to 60 years. However, many face serious threats such as climate change, fisheries by-catch, disease, competition with other seabirds, and plastic debris.

We can all act to protect these magnificent ocean birds, by reducing plastic use and choosing to eat sustainably caught fish.