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Black-Browed Albatross

Black-Browed Albatross Identification Guide

Black-Browed Albatross

Key facts

Scientific name: Thalassarche melanophris
UK status: Rare vagrant
Global conservation status: Least concern

Family: 

Length: 88 cm
Wingspan: 230 cm
Weight: 4 kg

Description

The black-browed albatross, also known as the black-browed mollymawk, is a large seabird with a round head, square tail, and long slender wings. It has a black back, upperwings and tail, and white underparts. The underwing has a broad white band between a narrow black trailing edge, and a broader black leading edge. On the head it has black eyebrows and an orange-yellow bill with a darker reddish tip.

Like other mollymawks, the black-browed albatross’s nostrils are on the side of the bill, and the bill is split into several horny plates. It produces a foul-smelling stomach oil which is used to not only to see off predators but also feed chicks and adults during long flights.

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Diet

Black-browed albatrosses eat small fish, squid, cuttlefish, and crustaceans. They will also take rubbish from ships that they follow, and will steal food from other species of birds.

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Range and habitat

Black-browed albatrosses are found on islands in oceans south of the Equator, including the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island, and various Chilean islands. They breed on tussock-covered slopes on cliffs overlooking the sea.

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