Albatross: Their World, Their Ways

I now belong to a higher cult of mortals, for I have seen the albatross!
– Robert Cushman Murphy

Murphy put it much better than I could, but I felt precisely the same way upon seeing my first albatross – a Black-footed during a pelagic trip out of Westport, Washington. I imagine anyone fortunate enough to belong to this higher cult also echoes this sentiment.

But why should this relatively small group of birds evoke such passion? Certainly, it is not due to their looks. Although by no means ugly, albatrosses are not visually arresting in the same manner as trogons, parrots, tanagers, and others that lure birders to the tropics. Perhaps it is because these are truly amazing birds. Literally living on wind and wave, some may go the better part of a decade without touching land. It also takes special effort to see one. You not only have to go out to meet them on the sea or their remote island breeding colonies, but most are also endangered. One thing is certain; no one who reads this book can fail to regard this family as special.

This book is comprised of three main parts. The first is an introduction to the various groups of albatrosses, with each of the eight groupings getting its own chapter. In each, Tui De Roy gives an excellent overview of the group and what sets these species apart. The author has obviously spent an extraordinary amount of time among these birds, and is able to convey that familiarity to the reader.

Many fantastic photographs complement this section’s text (as well as the rest of the book, but they are especially prominent here). Consistently beautiful and awe-inspiring, I found myself amazed anew with every page turned. The book’s large size and unique layout allow the pictures to be reproduced in the size and quality that they deserve.

The second section presents 18 separate essays, all by different authors. Most are two pages long, and they cover a broad range of topics, such as a detailed look at the Wandering Albatross, an account of a lifetime working with albatrosses, and even an interview with an ex-poacher. But most deal in some way with conservation.

I have never seen this sort of arrangement in any similar book. It seems like it would be in danger of being too scattershot and not comprehensive enough, as well as lacking in the cohesiveness that a single author brings. However, it works here. This format allows details, and even entire topics, to be presented that otherwise may not have fit in. And they are written by the experts – the researchers, conservationists, and others – that know these birds the best. The articles are also the perfect length, short enough to keep your attention, yet long enough to get in all the important information.

The final section is a brief overview of the albatross family as a whole, along with individual accounts for the 22 species that the authors recognize (this family’s taxonomy is far from settled, so there is debate over how many albatross species there actually are).

The family overview is brief, but decent, covering topics such as taxonomy, range, courtship, and breeding. Along with a couple of photographs and a range map (with breeding sites labeled), each 1.5-2 page species account also includes:

• Introduction – alternate names, who first described it, taxonomic source and notes, origin of name, and conservation status and justification
• Description – adults (male and female where different) and juveniles
• Size
• Population and distribution
• Oceanic range
• Breeding – nests, timing, courtship, incubation, fledging, breeding success, and more
• Food
• Threats

The species accounts in family books such as this are usually sparse, have tiny pictures, and are of limited value. Not so here. These are full of good information and add greatly to this book. The only fault I could find with this section is its placement. Albatross follows the tradition in bird family books of putting the species accounts in the back, which usually works fine. But due to its unique structure, I think this book would be better served by placing this section first and foremost. I would urge readers to review this portion of the book first, unless already familiar with this group of birds.

In addition to all of this, there is also an introduction by Carl Safina (a modified excerpt from his wonderful Eye of the Albatross [review]), a list of the best places to see albatrosses, books and websites for further reading, and a glossary. The lists are necessarily incomprehensive, but that’s not an issue as they are essentially an unexpected bonus.

Recommendation

Unfortunately, most birders will never become part of Murphy’s “higher cult of mortals”. And even those that have may find that their relatively short encounters with these amazing birds are not nearly enough. Thankfully, this book provides just about everything that you could want to become more familiar with them.

I would have to say that this is the best book of its type that I have seen. It favorably compares to the albatross account in the Handbook of the Birds of the World, and even surpasses it in some aspects (which is about the highest praise that I can give). It is a highly recommended addition to anyone’s birding library.