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Shy Albatross | Thalassarche cauta
The Shy Albatross is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Diomedeidae bird family group which includes birds such as Albatrosses. The description for the Shy Albatross (Latin name Thalassarche cauta) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Thalassarche cauta can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 11 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 646. You will find a picture of the Shy Albatross on page 641. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. There have been no changes in the common name between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition. The Latin name for this bird is Diomedea cauta in the Roberts 6th Edition. The Shy Albatross has a height of 100 cms and weighs around 4400 gms. The head is coloured white while the bill is coloured grey. The Thalassarche cauta has a white coloured throat, blue legs and a grey coloured back. The eyes are brown. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is white Eyes are brown Bill is grey Legs are blue Throat is white Back is grey Feeding Habits ...This birds forages for fish and other aquatic dwellers through surface sizing and diving for food in the water. This bird has a specially adapted bill which helps it hunt for fish, crabs, shrimp and other aquatic animals in the water. Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...You can see the Shy Albatross bird on coastal regions and on the sea shore where the bird will be foraging with other birds The Shy Albatross is a very rare bird that can only be seen out at sea following fish vessels. It can be seen in the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean. Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...The Shy Albatross is mainly seen singly or in pairs in the wild. |
