Northern Royal albatross is very large, with white body, back, and head with black upper wings. Wingspan can reach up to 3.25 metres.

Northern Royal albatross is endemic to New Zealand and travels circumpolar, primarily on the Patagonian Shelf and the Pacific side of South America. Breeding takes place biennially at The Sisters and the Forty-Fours in the Chatham Islands, with a colony on the South Island at Tairoa Head.

Northern Royal albatross are considered ‘Nationally vulnerable’ by the Department of Conservation and ‘Endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It has been estimated that there are around 6300 breeding pairs.

Northern Royal albatross feeds mainly on squid and other cephalopods with some small fish, salps and crustaceans taken from up to one metre depths.

Northern Royal albatross is a known scavenger and is at risk from commercial fishing operations, but is not thought to be a major threat to the species. New Zealand vessels use mitigation methods to limit interactions, but international fishers do not currently follow these precautions.

All albatross species are collectively known by Maori as Toroa and are highly valued for their bones, white feathers, and as a rare delicacy. The feathers were used to adorn war canoes and as ornaments for people of rank. The bones were highly prized for making flutes and were used to make neck and ear pendants as well.

International Union for Conservation of nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red list

New Zealand Threat Classification System list