Illustration: Charcoal, pastel, ink and mixed media on paper, 8.3? x 11.7?
Patricio Paretti. MIGRATORIAS

ALBATROSS


Common name:
Black-browed albatross
Scientific name:
Thalassarche melanophris
Kind:
Birds
Size:
Average length of 80 and 90cm
Average wingspan of 224 cm
Weight:
3,8 Kg
Life expectancy:
Up to 50 years


DESCRIPTION
The Black-browed Albatross is a pelagic bird, which means, it develops most of its life in the high seas and only returns to land during the reproductive period. Likewise, the other albatrosses, it has a large wingspan that reaches 2.3 meters. This allows it an exceptional gliding performance, as it can stay in flight for a long time without landing on water or land. On its legs it has membranes that allow it good mobility in the sea.


ENVIRONMENT AND NOURISHMENT
Its distribution to the north begins at 23 ° latitude (approximately Tropic of Capricorn), up to 60 ° south latitude in the Drake Sea, and the entire Antarctic polar circle. The more the latitude grows towards the south, the winds increase, which allows us to appreciate its unique glide. In Tierra del Fuego it can be seen in the Beagle Channel, the Strait of Magellan and, occasionally, in inland waters such as Lake Fagnano. Regarding its diet, the albatross is carnivorous, therefore its diet consists mainly of fish, crustaceans, squid, octopus and carrion or waste from fishing boats.


PROCREATION
The breeding season takes place between September and April, corresponding to the nesting in the southern summer. The main breeding sites are the circumpolar islands such as: Malvinas Islands, Idelfonso and Evout islands near the Cape Horn; Diego Ramírez Islands, South Shetland Islands and South Sandwich Islands, the latter concentrate the largest number of pairs that nest. They lay only one egg a year, which has a variable incubation between 68 and 72 days. The chick matures in approximately 4 months, and then takes flight, to return 6 or 7 years later for its first breeding.


THREATS TO SURVIVAL
The albatross had commercial use in the 19th century for its feathers, which were used for ornamental purposes and for the traditional fillings of pillows and cushions. Currently, the main threat is the industrial deep-sea fishing (fishing boats), which has significantly depleted their population, as these birds get entangled in fishing lines and become easy prey for predators.


CONSERVATION
According to the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) the species is in category NT (Near Threatened). While in Chile, its classification is LC (Least Concern) since it has a wide distribution and abundance.
The perpetual glide of the albatross accompanying sailors who brave the southern seas, has transformed it into an emblem for the international guild of captains of Cape Horn (CapHoniers). In 1992 a monument to the albatross was inaugurated at Cape Horn (Hornos Island).

Illustration: Charcoal, pastel, ink and mixed media on paper, 8.3? x 11.7?
Patricio Paretti. MIGRATORIAS

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