SOUTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS

SOUTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS (Diomedea epomophora) – (See images below)
The Southern Royal Albatross is almost as large as the Wandering Albatross. It is also similar in appearance but with more dark feathers on its back. It is considered vulnerable and is a frequent victim of the long line fishing industry.
NOTES: The albatross is part of an order of birds that includes seabirds with a ‘tubenose’ bill. This highly specialized bill is made of plates and the nostrils are inside one of them in the shape of a ‘tube’. These birds drink seawater, and they have glands in their bill to extract the salt from the water. Their nostrils also have a self-defensive feature – when threatened they can spit out a foul-smelling oil from that organ.

BIRD WATCHING TOURS OFF KAIKOURA PENINSULA
There are government-approved (Department of Conservation) tours available at the Kaikoura Peninsula, South Island, that allow birders to observe seabirds up close that would otherwise be unaccessible. The birds are attracted by fish liver baits thrown from the tour boat. The photo and video below were taken from such a tour back in February 2013. 

Southern royal albatross off Kaikoura Peninsula, NZ - by Denise Motard, Feb. 2013
Southern royal albatross, Kaikoura, NZ
There was some squabbling over the fish livers among the large birds such as the wandering albatrosses and southern giant petrels, while the smaller species such as the Cape petrels were staying at a safe distance.