Pelagic bird-watching, visit the open ocean realm of the albatross, mollymawks, petrels, terns, shags and gulls of the Kaikoura Coast, New Zealand.
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Great Albatross Factfile

Five of the six species of the great albatross can be seen in Kaikoura. The great albatross are the larger of the albatross species.

Wandering Albatross

Four different subspecies. Distinguished from similar royal albatross by not having a black cutting edge along its bill.

1. Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans) also known as Snowy Albatross
2. Antipodean Albatross (Diomedea antipodensis)
3. Gibson's Albatross (Diomedea Gibsoni)
4. Tristan Albatross (Diomedea dabbenena) (not seen in Kaikoura).

  • Just over half the world population of 32, 000 breeding pairs are found on New Zealand's Sub-Antarctic Islands (Antipodes, Campbell and Auckland Islands).
  • Long lived species and birds do not begin breeding until 7-16 years old.
  • Concern over accidental bycatch of wandering albatross by Japanese longliners fishing for blue fin tuna.
  • Naturally feeds on squid, but also attracted to fish waste from fishing boats.
  • Largest flying bird with wingspan of 3.4 metres and weighs 6.5 kilograms.
  • Satellite transmitters have been put on wandering albatross and have shown that birds can travel an incredible 1000 miles per day.
  • Three species recorded throughout the year off Kaikoura, usually seen singularly, although groups of up to 14 or more birds may be seen around fishing boats. Chances of seeing wandering albatross increase as you go further offshore. Three out of the four subspecies of wandering albatross have been sighted off the Kaikoura Coast, these are:

1. Antipodensis- breeds on the Antipodes and Campbell Islands
2. Gibsoni- breeds on the Auckland Islands
3. Exulans- (snowy albatross) which breeds in the South Indian Ocean

Northern Royal Albatross - Toroa

  • Breeds on the Chatham Islands and at a small colony on Tairoa Head near Dunedin.
  • The Tairoa head colony is the only mainland albatross colony in the world.
  • World population of 6500 breeding pairs.
  • Traditionally harvested by the Maorioris and then Maoris.
  • Birds mate for life.
  • One bird banded at the Tairoa Head colony was known as Grandma and lived to 61 years old.
  • Feed on squid.
  • Distinguished from the southern royal albatross by having entirely black upperwings.
  • The large flight feathers of the larger albatrosses were collected by Maori for ceremonial purposes and were highly prized.
    Single birds seen throughout the year off the Kaikoura Coast.

Southern Royal Albatross - Toroa

  • Breeds on Auckland and Campbell Islands with a population of 15, 000 breeding pairs.
  • Young birds leave New Zealand waters and fly circumpolar through the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans before returning to New Zealand waters to breed as adults when 6-10 years old.
  • Distinguished from wandering albatross by having a black line on the bill, and from the northern royal albatross by having more white on the upper wing.
  • Heaviest species of albatross weighing 9 kilograms. Unlike the wandering albatross, its population appears to be stable.
  • Seen off the Kaikoura Coast throughout the year, generally singularly, although up to 3 or more birds may be seen around fishing boats. Generally an offshore species seen more than 3 miles off the coast, although they may be seen close to shore during storms.