Page 59 - World of Animals - Deadly Predators

Seabirds

A

bobbing

buffet

How albatross lure prey using

bioluminescent organisms

The most common way seabirds find their
food is to sail along the sea surface and then
snatch any unsuspecting fish that are unlucky
enough to get too close. However, one seabird
has come up with an ingenious way to actually
lure their favourite meal to the surface.
Albatross are prolific hunters, swooping
down from the sky to pluck food from the
ocean with ease. Preferring the taste of squid,
however, it has been discovered that some
albatross have worked out how to utilise
bioluminescent organisms, found floating near
the surface, to attract squid. During nightfall,
these large birds will swim in continual circles
for anything between 40 seconds and several
hours. This continuous movement provokes
the organisms to illuminate and glow in the
water. Like moths to flames, any squid in the
area are attracted to the glowing light and
swim to the surface, where they are greeted
by the deadly beak of
a hungry albatross. WANDERING
ALBATROSS
Diomedea exulans
Lifespan 42 years
Adult weight 6-12kg
(13-26lbs)
Conservation status

VULNERABLE

“Some albatross have

worked out how to utilise

bioluminescent organisms,

found floating near the

surface, to attract squid”

© Getty

Researchers first discovered
the albatross’ unique
feeding behaviour after
tagging several of them in
the Indian Ocean

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