short-tailed albatross (photo will be presented in the article) - it is a huge sea bird.It is also the largest of the northern hemisphere albatross.These beautiful creations are included in the list of the largest flying birds, because the scope of their wings can exceed 2.2 meters.The name "Albatross" came from the Arabic al-cadous, which translated means "diver".Long ago he Carl Linnaeus gave it the Latin name Diomedea birds after Diomedes, strong and courageous Greek hero.It was a very precise definition, as the bird completely corresponds to it.
short-tailed albatross: description
Albatross looks pretty nice.Adult birds white plumage on the neck and head can see the yellowish plaque, upper wing feathers are black-brown, the edge of the tail is also black and brown.
beak a little longer than the head, laterally compressed, high and bright.We immediately see how powerful it is.Short nasal ducts located at the base and sides.It ends maxilla and mandible claws that resemble hooks.They are formed from separate plates.Upper mandible is much more powerful than the lower part.
legs too short, bobbin net, compressed at the sides.The first rear toe hidden fold of skin.Color bright, blue or pink.
just born chicks are covered with dark gray down, legs and beak are black.Few grown nesting chicks chocolate-brown color.Young birds feathers darker than adults, across the wings white stripes.The beak is light pink with little blue tip, beige and blue legs.
Molting
Change clothes and molt sequence of Albatrosses are still unclear.It is only known that the short-tailed albatross fades completely once a year after the breeding season.It is assumed that the wandering birds molt takes place in the summer.It lasts a long time, during the three summer months.
short-tailed albatross: habitat, population
There was a time when the short-tailed albatross was observed in the Pacific countless, their population numbered in the millions.But because of the beautiful feathers of birds killed without any restrictions.For example, in the early twentieth century, every year more than three hundred thousand slaughtered birds.This led to the fact that in 1930 their number dropped to a few hundred individuals.
In 1949, it was officially announced that this species became extinct.But after one year on the island of Torisima discovered a great joy, a small flock of white-backed handsome, kind of just started its revival with ten pairs, which is considered the last on earth.What saved them from the final extinction of what they are capable of performing in the sea up to 10 years and then return to nesting.That the young couple returned home and found that all the adults of their relatives killed.
And so began the restoration of the number of sea travelers.Now people are carefully to them, now it is under the protection of short-tailed albatross.The Red Book of Russia "settle" it on their pages as a species, which is threatened with extinction.
Nowadays, there are only two colonies 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 Bonin Islands and Wake Island.
Lifestyle
short-tailed albatross flies well and as a good swimmer, but it does not dive.The whole life of the birds takes place on the water and in the air, only during the breeding season they are forced to remain in the nests.Flight of a beautiful, soaring, long and fast.During flight, the wings form a straight line with the body, the legs are connected to each other and extend backward.
interesting fact is that the ground even a running albatross fly can not.To do this, he must find a hill, some rock and from there, throw down, to move smoothly into the flight.But with the surface of the water they are able to take off without problems.However, they do so with a running start.Bird quickly fingering legs, running on the water, with outstretched neck and flapping their huge wings spread, is not come off from the water surface.
active lifestyle birds of this species can lead both day and night, especially during migrations.Short-tailed albatross are much more careful of his other relatives, he rarely approaching ships.On migrations behaves individual farmers, but if plenty of food, then in one place can gather 10-20 birds.They are pretty silent, you can hear them cackling while feeding chicks in the nests.And, of course, at the time of disputes and fights because of the production albinos produce sounds resembling the roar of donkeys.
Power
short-tailed albatross to feed falls into the water.The food takes only from the surface, never ducking behind her and did not have enough on the fly.Provide food may both day and night.
The albatross diet includes squid, small clams, fish, small invertebrates.Also, these huge birds do not disdain the dregs of food from passing ships.When next runs whaler, then the handsome white-backed start a feast.
Reproduction
short-tailed albatross reaches sexual maturity at the age of 7-8 years.It comes in nesting in October.Because of the rains softened the soil mixed with grass and moss, bird using beak build nests in the ground.The female lays only one egg, which hatch within 64-65 days at a time both parents.
In December and January, the egg is born chick.Again and dad and mom together take care of their baby.Feed him belched food.Half-digested food enters the beak chick with stomach fat.In late May, nestling period ends.A pair of short-tailed albatross its mission to procreate considered satisfied and sent back into the sea.No wonder these birds sailors call eternal wanderer.
