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A beautiful smoky-brown albatross with bright white eye crescents and an orange line running down the bill that gives this otherwise regal bird a goofy appearance.
Vulnerable
At a glance
FamilyAlbatrosses
SizeLarge
RarityUncommon
HabitatCoastlines, harbours, offshore waters, estuaries, headlands, beaches, and large inland water when conditions suit.
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from May.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Powys, V.
Range map
Range map
58visible hotspots
173visible 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
Unlike the otherwise similar Light-mantled Albatross, the present species’ dark head does not contrast with the rest of the body. Also note Light-mantled’s less obvious blue-gray bill line. Dark morph giant-petrels can be similar at a glance, but have larger, bulbous pink bills, and average more long-necked and hunch-backed in appearance. A pelagic species, ranging throughout much of the southern Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Behavior
Nests on a handful of islands in that region, favoring areas with steep rocky slopes and tussock grass.
Gallery