The northern royal albatross or toroa, is a large seabird in the albatross family. It was split from the closely related southern royal albatross as recently as 1998, though not all scientists support that conclusion and some consider both of them to be subspecies of the royal albatross.
Region
South Pacific Ocean
Typical Environment
Breeds on the Chatham Islands with a small mainland colony at Taiaroa Head, then ranges widely across temperate and subantarctic waters of the South Pacific. At sea it frequents open-ocean fronts, shelf edges, and zones of upwelling where prey is concentrated. Birds may roam east toward the coasts of South America and north into subtropical waters outside the breeding season. On land it nests on open, windswept plateaus and slopes near sea cliffs, with little ground cover. It is almost never seen inland away from colonies.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 300 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The northern royal albatross (toroa) is one of the largest flying birds, with a wingspan that can exceed 3 meters. It breeds almost exclusively in New Zealand, mainly on the Chatham Islands, with a well-known mainland colony at Taiaroa Head. Adults form long-term pair bonds and invest an entire season in raising a single chick. They spend most of their lives gliding over the open ocean, often traveling thousands of kilometers between feedings.
Young northern royal albatross in the colony on Taiaroa Head, New Zealand
Diomedea sanfordi – south east Tasmania
Temperament
solitary and wide-ranging at sea; gregarious but nest-territorial at colonies
Flight Pattern
soaring glider using dynamic soaring and slope lift with minimal wingbeats
Social Behavior
Colonial breeder with long-term monogamous pairs. Courtship involves elaborate displays including bill-circling, sky-calling, and bill-clapping. A single egg is laid, with both parents sharing long incubation and chick-rearing duties; fledging takes many months. Breeding occurs biennially if a chick is successfully raised.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet at sea, but at colonies produces wails, grunts, and croaks during displays. Bill-clapping is a prominent non-vocal sound in courtship. Contact calls are low and guttural.
Plumage
Predominantly white body with contrasting black to dark brown upperwings showing variable white mottling; back may show darker saddle mottling compared with the southern royal albatross.
Diet
Feeds mainly on squid and other cephalopods, along with fish and occasional crustaceans. Often takes prey near the surface by seizing or shallow plunging, and may scavenge offal from fishing vessels. Nocturnal foraging is common, coinciding with vertical migration of squid. Opportunistic feeding at productive ocean fronts and eddies is typical.
Preferred Environment
Open ocean over continental shelf edges, convergence zones, and upwelling areas. Frequently patrols along wind bands where dynamic soaring is efficient. Around colonies it forages offshore rather than in coastal embayments.
