Birds
Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross
Thalassarche chlororhynchos
Identified by a thin yellow stripe running the length of its otherwise black bill, an Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross ranks as the smallest of the mollymawk albatrosses, breeding across the remote Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island group.
Overview
The Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos, is an Endangered seabird native to ocean habitat across the South Atlantic, foraging widely from island breeding sites. Its status as the smallest mollymawk albatross, its distinctive yellow bill stripe, and its vulnerability to longline fishing bycatch make it one of the more closely monitored albatross species found anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
A small albatross facing a big threat
Despite being the smallest of the mollymawk albatrosses, the Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross faces one of the same major threats confronting much larger relatives, with longline fishing bycatch remaining a persistent danger across its South Atlantic foraging range.
Status
Endangered, with populations concentrated on a small number of South Atlantic islands and declining due to longline fishing bycatch.
Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross: common questions
Why is it called the yellow-nosed albatross?
This species has a thin yellow stripe running along the ridge of its otherwise black bill, a feature that gives the species its common name and helps distinguish it from similar mollymawk albatrosses.
How does the Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross compare in size with other albatrosses?
This species is the smallest of the mollymawk albatrosses, a group of medium-sized albatross species considerably smaller than giants such as the wandering albatross.
What threatens the Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross?
This species faces significant threats from longline fishing bycatch, becoming hooked while attempting to take bait meant for target fish species far out at sea.
Where does the Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross breed?
This species breeds across several islands within the Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island group, nesting on steep vegetated slopes close to the ocean.