UKBirds

Black-Browed Albatross

Thalassarche melanophris

The Black-browed Albatross or Black-browed Mollymawk, Thalassarche melanophrys, is a large seabird of the albatross family Diomedeidae, and it is the most widespread and common albatross.

The Black-browed Albatross is a medium-sized albatross, at 80-95 cm (31-37 in) long with a 200-240 cm (79-94 in) wingspan and an average weight of 2.9-4.7 kg (6.4-10 lb). They can have a natural lifespan of over 70 years. It has a bright pink saddle and upperwings that contrast with the orange, rump, and underparts. The underwing is predominantly white with broad, irregular, black margins. It has a dark eyebrow and a yellow-orange bill with a darker reddish-orange tip. Juveniles have dark horn-colored bills with dark tips, and a grey head and collar. They also have dark underwings. The features that identify it from other mollymawks are the dark eyestripe which gives it its name, a broad black edging to the white underside of its wings, white head and orange bill, tipped darker orange. They are similar to Grey-headed Albatrosses but the latter have wholly dark bills and more complete dark head markings.