Black-browed albatross

Black-browed albatross (Diomedea melanophrys) are mostly white with yellowish-orange webbed feet, grey highlights and a bright yellow beak. A conspicuous black eyebrow gives them their name.

Of the 24 albatross species, the black-browed albatross is one of the smallest. The adult bird is 80-95cm in length, with a wing span of 210-250cm and weighs 3-5kg.

Black-browed albatross are long-lived birds, living 30 years or more, and have a strong bond to their colony of birth.

Black-browed albatross are found over Antarctic, Subantarctic and sub-tropical waters. They breed on Subantarctic and Antarctic islands between 46° and 56°S, such as Iles Kerguelen, Heard Island and the McDonald Islands, and Macquarie Island.

The Falkland Islands hold over 85% of the global population of black-browed albatross (estimated at 680 000 pairs), and are the most important breeding locality in the world for this species.

Black-browed albatross generally have the same breeding partner each season. They nest on terraces on top of coastal tussock-clad cliffs or steep slopes up to 300m above sea level. The nest is a solid pillar of mud and guano with some tussock grass and seaweed incorporated, and is re-used annually.

A single egg is laid in early October. Chicks are covered with pale grey down, and are fed by both parents. Fledged young birds leave the nest between mid-March and early April.

Black-browed albatross fly fairly low and take food from the sea surface or just below, occasionally plunging from heights of up to 9m. They eat mostly krill and fish, with some cephalopods, salps and jellyfish.

Birds may travel long distances to find food - foraging trips can take several days and extend hundreds of kilometres.

Off the South American coasts many birds from the Falkland Islands population are killed through interactions with longline fishing vessels.

Links

Taxonomic information on the black-browed albatross

Australian Antarctic Science (AAS) relating to black-browed albatross

Seabird mortality in longline fisheries

Australian Antarctic Magazine - Heard Island's seabirds under scrutiny

Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP)

Southern Ocean ecosystems research program