BirdUp · Species

Chatham Albatross

Thalassarche eremitaMurphy, 1930

EndangeredNative

Order: PROCELLARIIFORMES
Family: Diomedeidae
Genus: Thalassarche

Conservation: Endangered
Commonness: Rare

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The Chatham albatross, also known as the Chatham mollymawk or Chatham Island mollymawk, is a medium-sized black-and-white albatross which breeds only on The Pyramid, a large rock stack in the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. It is sometimes treated as a subspecies of the shy albatross. It is the smallest of the shy albatross group.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Wingspan: 220 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

flight

Look for the diagnostic black 'thumbmark' on the underwing—a small, dark patch where the leading edge meets the body—visible against the white underwing as the bird banks.

plumage

Adults feature a dark grey hood covering the head and throat, which contrasts with a bright yellow bill that has a diagnostic dark spot on the tip of the lower mandible.
At close range, look for a thin, bright orange stripe on the cheek that stands out against the dark grey feathers of the face.
Juveniles are distinguished by their duller blue-grey bills with extensive black tips on both mandibles and a more uniform grey wash over the head.

voice

While usually silent at sea, they may emit a unique, harsh buzzing bray or low grunting sounds during social interactions or when agitated.

02 · Where

Where to find it

Breeding range: Pyramid Rock (Chatham Is., east of South I., New Zealand)
Non-breeding range: Tasman Sea and shelf-break off southeast Australia; to Humboldt and Magellanic currents off south Peru and Chile

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