Head to head
Southern Royal Albatross vs Northern Royal Albatross
These two albatrosses were once considered the same species, and telling them apart still comes down mostly to a detail on the bill.
| Southern Royal Albatross | Northern Royal Albatross | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Diomedea epomophora | Diomedea sanfordi |
| Bill pattern | A solid black cutting edge | A different, distinguishing bill pattern |
| Breeding location | Remote sub-Antarctic islands | One of the only mainland albatross colonies on Earth |
| Wingspan | Rivals the wandering albatross for the largest alive | Also very large among living birds |
| Recognition history | Once considered the same species as its northern relative | Once considered the same species as its southern relative |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable | Endangered |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Decreasing |
| Habitat | Ocean | Ocean |
Southern Royal Albatross vs Northern Royal Albatross: common questions
How can you tell the two royal albatrosses apart?
The clearest way is the bill pattern, the southern royal albatross has a solid black line along the cutting edge of its bill, while the northern royal albatross has a different pattern distinguishing it from its close relative.
Which one breeds at one of the only mainland albatross colonies?
The northern royal albatross is the one with this rare trait, breeding at a headland colony near a New Zealand city, unlike the southern royal albatross, which breeds on remote sub-Antarctic islands.
Which one is more threatened?
The northern royal albatross faces the steeper classification, listed as Endangered, while the southern royal albatross is classified as Vulnerable, both declining largely due to longline fishing mortality.