COURTSHIP BEHAVIOUR OF THE WANDERING ALBATROSSDIOMEDEA EXULANS AT BIRD ISLAND, SOUTH GEORGIA

The behaviour postures and their sequences during courtship displays of the Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulansat South Georgia are described. Females initiated most display bouts, which began with a series of greetings. Thecore of the display consisted of a rapid sequence of head movements, snaps, ritualized preening and vocalisations.Most display bouts ended when the female walked away, although in 25% of cases the birds sat together on themale’s nest site. An underlying basic sequence was common to both sexes although there were differences in responsesto the partner’s behaviour. Courtship behaviour was very similar to that described for Wandering Albatrossesbreeding in the Indian Ocean.

PICKERING, S.P.C. & BERROW, S.D., Marine Ornithology 29: 29-37.