BirdUp · Species
Shy Albatross
Thalassarche cauta(Gould, 1841)
- Order
- PROCELLARIIFORMES
- Family
- Diomedeidae
- Genus
- Thalassarche
- Conservation
- Endangered
- Commonness
- Rare
- Best seen
- Year-round
01 · Identification
How to tell it apart
The shy albatross, also known as the shy mollymawk, is a medium-sized albatross that breeds on three remote islands off the coast of Tasmania, Australia, in the southern Indian Ocean. Its lifespan is about 60 years, and it has been seen as far afield as South Africa and the Pacific coast of the United States. As of June 2020, the species is listed as "Endangered" in Australia; there are thought to be 15,000 pairs of shy albatross left. It is Australia's only endemic albatross.
Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
02 · Where
Where to find it
- Breeding range
- Tasmania (Albatross Island, Mewstone, and Pedra Branca)
- Non-breeding range
- South Indian and Pacific oceans
03 · When
When to look
Months this species is recorded across its Australian range.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
05 · Behaviour
Habits and haunts
06 · Gallery
Plumage up close
6 photos
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