Hhhm I think it depends on where you have seen them. That might be the case
for Australia in most conditions.
If you see them in their true Antarctic/Subantarctic territory, they can quite
literally spread their wings and lift because the winds are strong enough to
blow even a person over if they are on the deck of a ship watching albatrosses
at sea or on the cliffs of somewhere like Campbell Island. It is awesome to
watch a bird that weighs nearly 11kg saunter up to an island 'runway' and stand
with their wings out just to take off. A once in a lifetime experience.
Of course that, plus when they gamm :-)
Inger Vandyke
Natural History Writer and Photographer
Assistant Publicity Officer - Southern Oceans Seabird Study Association (SOSSA)
Mob: 0402 286 437
www.ingervandyke.com
> From:
> To:
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Albatross Cam shows Albatrosses using Killer
> Whalesin Interesting Feeding Strategy
> Date: Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:49:53 +1100
> CC:
>
> I'd disagree on the point about being easy for Albatross to take off
> Gary. They always seem to need a big run-off flapping their wings to
> get into the air from all the times I've seen them on pelagics.
> They're a big bird - yes once they're flying it seems effortless but
> I've never seen one just lift its wings and suddenly be airborne! I'm
> sure some more recognised pelagic experts could offer their opinion
> though.
>
> Cheers
> Dave
>
>
> On 27/11/2009, at 1:40 PM, gary wright wrote:
>
> Hi Carl,
>
> Very interesting about using killer whales as a source of food. The
> idea that taking off for an Albatross would use up energy is not
> likely as if there is a wind which there usually is, they just need to
> raise their wings and lift off.
>
> Gary
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