Gray-headed Albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma)

Identification & Behavior: ~83 cm (32.7 in). The adult Gray-headed Albatross has a dark brown back. The underside of the wing is white bordered by a narrow black edging on the trailing edge and a broad and irregular black edging on the leading edge. The head and neck are gray. The bill is black with a bright yellow upper ridge and lower ridge on the mandible. The juvenile has a gray bill and gray instead of white on the underside of the wing. The color pattern is very similar to that of Buller’s Albatross but is distinguished by having a gray forehead (white in Buller’s) and abroad and uneven black underwing edging on the leading edge. Also, see Salvin’s Albatross.

Status: The Gray-headed Albatross is thought to be a rare visitor in the pelagic water of Peru. The similarity with other Gray-headed Albatrosses calls for extreme caution when identifying these species. The Gray-headed Albatross also occurs in Br and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Albatros de Cabeza Gris.

Sub-species: Gray-headed Albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma), (J. R. Forster), 1785.

Meaning of Name: Thalassarche: Gr. thalassa, thalasses= sea and arkhe, arkho= power, command, to govern. chrysostoma: Gr. khrusos= gold and stoma, stomatos= mouth. Khrusostomos= of golden mouth.

See more of the Family Diomedeidae