Crown-tailed albatross
| Crown-tailed albatross | |
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| Scientific classification |
The crown-tailed albatross or Crown albatross is a large seabird with global range, primarily found in the Olympic and Cantalle oceans. Although related to the other Olympic albatrosses, it also exhibits behavioural and morphological links to the albatrosses of the Northern Ocean and Samson Ocean. It was described by the Quetanan naturalist Fallando Pallas from skins collected by Elbresian collector Eugene Connors. Its tail has a distinctive three-pointed feather trail which resembles a crown, for which its name is derived. Once common, it was brought to the edge of extinction by the trade in feathers, but with protection efforts underway since the 1950s, the species is in the process of recovering with an increasing population trend. Its breeding range, however, remains far more moderate than its pre-industrial range.
The bird was a symbol for maritime sailors in the pre-industrial age, representing peace and reassurance due to its sighting often being an indicator for the proximety to land. The bird is the namesake for the Coalition of Crown Albatross, an international organization that operates globally with the aim to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among its many member nations, achieve international cooperation through economics and human development, and be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations.