Albatross Shakes Off Crash Landing In New Zealand

While being chased by a Red-billed Gull, male Northern Royal Albatross “WYL” touches down with a near-somersault landing to feed his chick from the Top Flat Track nest in New Zealand. He shakes it off after a quick recovery and lumbers over to offer his large nestling a meal.

The large size and expansive wing span (measuring up to 10 feet or longer) of these albatrosses make them masters of soaring long distances, but these characteristics can also make landing difficult in calmer conditions.

Watch for more memorable moments live on the Northern Royal Albatross Cam, and keep up with all the action at the nest site on Twitter/X @RoyAlbatrossCam.