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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Diomedeidae
  4. ›
  5. Thalassarche
  6. ›
  7. Chatham Albatross

BirdUp · Species

Chatham Albatross

Thalassarche eremitaMurphy, 1930

Conservation status: EndangeredOrigin: Native
Order
PROCELLARIIFORMES
Family
Diomedeidae
Genus
Thalassarche

At a glance

The Chatham Albatross, listed as Endangered and native to Australia.

Conservation status
Endangered
Origin
Native
Commonness
Rare
  • Identification
  • Where

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.

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Chatham Albatross live in Australia?

The Chatham Albatross is native to Australia.

BreedingPyramid Rock (Chatham Is., east of South I., New Zealand)

Non-breedingTasman Sea and shelf-break off southeast Australia; to Humboldt and Magellanic currents off south Peru and Chile

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Vagrant

1 region recorded