Head to head
Grey-headed Albatross vs Black-browed Albatross
Grey-headed Albatross
VS Black-browed Albatross
Both are mollymawk albatrosses of the Southern Ocean, but one is defined by speed and the other by sheer distribution.
| Grey-headed Albatross | Black-browed Albatross | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Thalassarche chrysostoma | Thalassarche melanophris |
| Distinguishing feature | A dark grey head and yellow-ridged bill | A dark streak around each eye |
| Notable record | Circled the Southern Ocean in as little as 46 days | The most widespread mollymawk species |
| Breeding frequency | Only every second year | Not documented as strictly biennial |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Stable |
| Main threat | Longline fishing | Longline fishing |
| Habitat | Ocean, polar | Ocean, polar |
Grey-headed Albatross vs Black-browed Albatross: common questions
Which one has been tracked circling Antarctica the fastest?
The grey-headed albatross holds this record, tracked circling the entire Southern Ocean around Antarctica in as little as 46 days, one of the fastest documented circumnavigations by any bird species.
Which one is more widespread overall?
The black-browed albatross is more widespread, being the most numerous and widely distributed of the smaller mollymawk albatross species, compared with the grey-headed albatross's narrower range.
Which one is more threatened?
The grey-headed albatross faces greater risk, classified as Endangered with a decreasing population, while the black-browed albatross remains classified as Least Concern with a stable population.