Thalassarche melanophris
The Black-browed Albatross, *Thalassarche melanophris*, is a medium-sized albatross characterized by its striking black "eyebrow" stripe, contrasting with its pristine white head and underparts. Adults measure 80-95 cm (31-37 in) in length, possess a massive wingspan of 200-240 cm (79-94 in), and weigh 2.9-4.7 kg (6.4-10.4 lbs). Its dark greyish-black upperparts, white rump, and a distinctive bright orange-yellow bill with a pinkish-orange tip are key identification features, making it one of...
Primarily a pelagic species, the Black-browed Albatross spends the majority of its life at sea, coming ashore only to breed on remote oceanic islands with steep cliffs or grassy slopes.
The diet primarily consists of cephalopods (squid), fish, crustaceans, and offal, obtained by surface-seizing, shallow-plunging, or scavenging behind fishing boats.
Black-browed Albatrosses are primarily diurnal, spending their days foraging over the open ocean, covering immense distances with minimal effort by dynamic soaring. They feed by surface-seizing, dipping, and shallow-plunging, often following fishing vessels for discards. These highly social birds...
The Black-browed Albatross has a circumpolar distribution in the Southern Ocean, breeding predominantly on sub-Antarctic islands. Major breeding colonies are found on the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Antipodes Islands, and Campbell Island. After breeding...
Least Concern
- Black-browed Albatrosses can live for over 70 years, with the oldest recorded individual, affectionately named "Grandma," living to at least 74 in the wild. - They are incredibly efficient fliers, capable of circumnavigating the globe in search of food and covering thousands of kilometers in ju...