Royal Albatross, New Zealand (Dunedin) Webcam

Royal Albatross, New Zealand

The Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea sanfordi) is one of the world's largest seabirds, with a wingspan reaching up to 3 meters (9.8 feet). It primarily breeds in New Zealand, with the most famous mainland colony at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head on the Otago Peninsula. These majestic birds are known for their lifelong pair bonds, returning to the same nesting sites every two years to raise a single chick. Conservation efforts help protect them from threats like climate change, fishing bycatch, and habitat disturbance, ensuring their survival for future generations.

The nest featured on the webcam belongs to a Northern Royal Albatross pair at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head. For the 2024–25 season, the nest is home to male RLK (Red, Lime, blacK leg bands) and female GLG (Green, Lime, Green leg bands), who are appearing on the live stream for the first time. The pair laid a fertile egg on November 11, 2024, at the Signal Station Trig nest site. This 24-hour live stream provides a rare view into the breeding and parenting behaviors of these magnificent seabirds, with conservationists carefully monitoring their progress.