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A small, dark albatross with pointed wings and tail.
WA: Vulnerable; TAS: Vulnerable; NT: Critically Endangered
Indigenous: Grey-Mantled Albatross, Light-Mantled Albatross, Grey Albatross
At a glance
FamilyAlbatrosses
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatCoastlines, harbours, offshore waters, estuaries, headlands, beaches, and large inland water when conditions suit.
Best timeMost reliable in Tasmania from December.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Kevin Guille
Range map
Range map
47visible hotspots
90visible records
4states
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
Generally solitary, tending not to follow fishing vessels and ships as other albatross species do. Has a circumpolar distribution with breeding occuring on subantarctic islands. Distinguished from Sooty Albatross by the ashy-gray neck and back. Northern Giant-Petrel is another mostly dark seabird, but is larger with an obviously huge, pale bill.
Behavior
Note the ashy-gray neck and back feathers contrasting with the dark head.
Gallery