Bird Guide

Black-browed Albatross vs Shy Albatross

Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris)

Black-browed Albatross

Thalassarche melanophris

Huge3.2 kgMarine

The black-browed albatross is a medium-sized albatross, at 80 to 95 cm (31–37 in) long with a 200 to 240 cm (79–94 in) wingspan and an average weight of 2.9 to 4.7 kg (6.4–10.4 lb). It can have a natural lifespan of over 70 years. It has a dark grey saddle and upperwings that contrast with the white rump, and underparts. The underwing is predominantly white with broad, irregular, black margins. It has a dark eyebrow and a yellow-orange bill with a darker reddish-orange tip. Juveniles have dark horn-colored bills with dark tips, and a grey head and collar. They also have dark underwings.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Black-browed Albatross
Recorded by Kevin Guille · Call, song · Sourcil Noir, France · CC0
Photo: Ingvild Riska · CC BY 4.0
Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta)

Shy Albatross

Thalassarche cauta

Huge3.9 kgMarine

The shy albatross averages 90 to 99 cm (35–39 in) in length, 220 to 256 cm (87–101 in) wingspan, and 4.1 kg (9.0 lb) in weight. Alongside its similarly sized sister species, the Salvin's albatross, this species is considered the largest of the mollymawks or the small albatrosses. It is a black, white and slate-grey bird with the characteristic black thumb mark at the base of the leading edge of the underwing. Adults have a white forehead and a crown, which is bordered on the bottom with a dark eyebrow and pale grey face. Its mantle, tail and upperwing are grey-black, and the rest is white.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Rodrigo J De Marco · CC0

Where you might meet both

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black-browed Albatross and Shy Albatross.