Albatrosses

In News 

• A new study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B has provided evidence of the effect of environmental conditions on the longevity of relationships — among a population of albatrosses. 

Major Findings

• The “divorce rate” in the study population varied substantially across years and was directly modulated by temporal environmental variability. 
  • Albatross divorce is basically just cheating, in human terms. It’s when one part of a couple of mates with a different individual.
• The “divorce” is triggered by breeding failure but, crucially, that it is also promoted by environmental harshness”.
•  It yields some reproductive benefits, particularly for females which are more likely to find new partners and attain a higher breeding success. 

About Albatrosses 

• Albatrosses are among the most spectacular gliders of all birds, able to stay aloft in windy weather for hours without ever flapping their extremely long, narrow wings. 
• Albatrosses are large seabirds and there are 22 IUCN-recognised species, who live up to 60 years.
• They are adaptive and can travel huge distances with the help of their adapted wings and large wingspans.  
• Distribution: 
  • The large sea birds are found across the Southern Hemisphere, in countries like New Zealand, and off the coast of Argentina. 
• Albatrosses come ashore only to breed. This activity occurs in colonies that are usually established on remote oceanic islands, where groups and pairs exhibit mating behaviour that includes wing-stretching and bill-fencing displays accompanied by loud groaning sounds.

Image Courtsey: BBC

Source: IE