Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys)

Identification & Behavior: ~85 cm (33.4 in). The adult Black-browed Albatross is mostly white with dark brown back an inconspicuous blackish eyebrow. The underside of the wing is white with a broad and irregular black edging (leading edge) and a narrow black edging on the trailing edge. The bill is yellow-orange. Immature birds have a brown bill, a gray collar across the breast, and gray instead of white underside of the wing. The color pattern is very similar to that of a Kelp Gull but is distinguished by a much larger size and longer and narrower wings. Also, see the larger Waved Albatross.

Status: The Black-browed Albatross is rare to uncommon in pelagic waters. It also occurs in Ec, Br, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Albatros de Ceja Negra.

Sub-species: Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys melanophrys), (Temminck), 1828.

Meaning of Name: Phoebastria: Gr. phoebetria, phoibastria= prophetess, soothsayer.
thalassarche: Gr. thalassa, thalasses= sea and arkhe, arkho= power, command, to govern.

See more of the Family Diomedeidae