Birds
Black-browed Albatross
Thalassarche melanophris · also called black-browed mollymawk
Marked with a dark streak around each eye that gives it a permanently stern expression, a black-browed albatross ranges more widely than almost any other mollymawk species, returning faithfully to the same mate and nesting site across sub-Antarctic islands year after year.
Overview
The black-browed albatross, Thalassarche melanophris, is a widespread seabird native to ocean and polar habitat across the Southern Ocean and numerous sub-Antarctic islands. Its distinctive dark eye markings, status as the most widespread mollymawk species, and vulnerability to longline fishing make it one of the more ecologically significant albatross species found anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
A face built for looking stern
The dark, brow-like marking that gives the black-browed albatross its name has made it instantly recognisable among seabird watchers, even as the species faces very real modern threats from longline fishing gear across the vast stretches of ocean it depends on.
Status
Least Concern, with populations stabilising in recent years following measures to reduce accidental deaths from longline fishing, though the threat remains ongoing.
Black-browed Albatross: common questions
Why is it called the black-browed albatross?
This species has a dark streak of feathers around each eye, giving it a permanently stern or angry expression resembling a furrowed eyebrow, a feature that gave the species its common name.
What is a mollymawk?
A mollymawk is a common name for several smaller albatross species, and this species is the most widespread and numerous of them, found across a broader range than most of its close mollymawk relatives.
Why is longline fishing dangerous for the black-browed albatross?
This species faces significant mortality from longline fishing operations, where birds are accidentally hooked and drowned while attempting to steal bait from fishing lines set for other species.
Does the black-browed albatross mate for life?
Generally yes, this species typically forms long-term pair bonds with the same mate across multiple breeding seasons, returning together to the same nesting site year after year.