A New Zealand albatross has hit the headlines by finding himself a mate after a decade on the dating scene.

Birdwatchers on the South Island's Otago Peninsula say 35-year-old Rob the albatross had no luck with the ladies for ten years – despite often being the first to arrive for breeding season.

He lost four partners as a younger bird and only raised three chicks in his lifetime but it now looks like his bachelor days are over.

He's been spotted spending time with a 32-year-old female who's had her own share of dating trouble - and ecologists hope they'll produce their first egg this year.

Northern Royal albatross at the Royal Albatross Centre in Taiaroa Head, Dunedin, New Zealand, 24-02-2019. Image: Xinhua/Guo Lei

Royal Albatross have been arriving at the Taiaroa Head breeding grounds for 100 years, with the first egg of the season laid in recent days.

With wingspans of around three metres they are the largest seabirds in the world – along with their Wandering Albatross cousins.

Rob is one of 70 birds to arrive for this year’s breeding season and hopes are high this could be his year.

Rob the albatross finds love. The 35-year-old had lost mates four times and only raised three chicks in his lifetime.

That was until last summer, when he started spending time with a 32-year-old female who had also had her share of dating tragedies.https://t.co/CnoB2zZ39B

— Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) (@docgovtnz) October 30, 2019

Otago Peninsula Trust ecotourism manager Hoani Langsbury told the Otago Daily Times that his romantic troubles may be down to the markings on his legs or even his mating song.

“Maybe he's the Phil Collins of the albatross world,” he said.

Albatross often court for a number of years before producing an egg and Rob partnered up with his new squeeze last summer - but conservationists say the signs are encouraging and they are hopeful they’ll produce a chick this year.

Northern Royal albatross at the Royal Albatross Centre in Taiaroa Head, Dunedin, New Zealand, 24-02-2019. Image: Xinhua/Guo Lei