Salvin's Albatross

The Salvin's albatross, also known as Salvin's mollymawk, is a medium-sized seabird with a wingspan stretching to an impressive 2.56 meters. Weighing between 3.3 and 4.9 kilograms, it is one of the larger members of the mollymawk group. Adults boast a silver-grey crown, with a grey face, upper throat, and upper mantle. Their back, upperwing, and tail are a striking grey-black, while the underparts remain a pristine white, accented with a distinctive black thumbmark on the underwing. The bill is a pale grey-green, tipped with bright yellow on the upper mandible and a dark spot on the lower.

Identification Tips

To identify Salvin's albatross, look for its grey bill and the yellow tip on the upper mandible. Juveniles present a more extensive grey and a blue-grey bill with black tips. At sea, distinguishing this species can be challenging due to the subtle differences in coloration with similar species.

Habitat

This albatross favors small, rocky islands with sparse vegetation for breeding grounds.

Distribution

Salvin's albatross breeds on the Bounty Islands, with smaller populations on the Snares Islands, The Pyramid, and Forty-Fours Island near New Zealand, as well as Île des Pingouins in the Crozet Islands. They roam the Southern Ocean, from South Africa to Australia and as far east as the coast of South America.

Breeding

The breeding population is concentrated on the Bounty Islands, with a notable decline in numbers since earlier studies. They breed mainly on small rocky islands, with the nest being a pedestal made of mud, feathers, and bird bones. They lay a single egg, which both parents incubate, and the chick takes approximately four months to fledge.

Similar Species

Salvin's albatross can be confused with the Chatham albatross, which has a smaller size and different bill color, and the shy albatross, which has a less grey head.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of Salvin's albatross primarily consists of fish and cephalopods.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified Salvin's albatross as vulnerable. The population is estimated at around 61,500 birds, with a noted decline. Threats include longline fisheries and trawlers, with trawlers accounting for the majority of deaths. Conservation efforts include bird banding, studies, and the designation of breeding islands as nature preserves and World Heritage Sites.