Black-browed Albatross

  • Common Name: Black-browed Albatross
  • Scientific Name: Thalassarche melanophrys
  • Date Taken: January 15, 2001
  • Location: Westpoint Island, The Falklands
  • Photographer: Howard Cunningham

Black-browed Albatross are primarily found in the Southern Ocean, breeding on sub-Antarctic islands such as the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and islands off the southern coasts of South America, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The wingspan of these albatrosses can reach up to 7.9 to 8.9 feet (2.4 to 2.7 meters), making them one of the smaller species of albatross. They are known for their elaborate courtship displays, involving various calls, bill-fencing, and sky-pointing. Their diet consists mainly of fish, squid, and other marine organisms. They are known to forage over the open ocean and are capable of covering large distances to find food. These albatrosses are colonial breeders, often nesting on steep cliffs or tussock-covered slopes. They typically lay one egg per breeding season, and both parents take turns incubating the egg and caring for the chick. The Black-browed Albatross is considered near-threatened due to various threats, including fisheries bycatch, introduced predators on breeding islands, and habitat degradation.

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