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A common and widespread albatross of the southern oceans; often seen from shore and ferries.
Vulnerable
Indigenous: Wool-Wool, Black-Browed Mollymawk, Mollyhawk, Mollymawk
At a glance
FamilyAlbatrosses
SizeGiant
RarityCommon
HabitatCoastlines, harbours, offshore waters, estuaries, headlands, beaches, and large inland water when conditions suit.
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from June to July.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Meena Haribal
Range map
Range map
709visible hotspots
14166visible records
3states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Like other albatrosses, often scavenges at fishing boats. All plumages white-headed, often obvious at long distance (black brow only visible at close range). Adult has orange-yellow bill, brighter at the tip and thick black irregular underwing margins; 1st-year has dusky bill with black tip and solidly blackish underwings; mostly like adult in 3 years.
Behavior
A common and widespread albatross of the southern oceans; often seen from shore and ferries.
Gallery