Head to head
Shy Albatross vs Chatham Albatross
Shy Albatross
VS Chatham Albatross
Both albatrosses belong to the same genus and share an unusually restricted breeding range, though on very different scales.
| Shy Albatross | Chatham Albatross | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Thalassarche cauta | Thalassarche eremita |
| Size | The largest mollymawk species | Smaller than the shy albatross |
| Breeding range | Three small islands off Tasmania | A single rock stack in the Chatham Islands |
| Bill colour | Not distinctively coloured | A bright yellow bill |
| Geographic distinction | The only albatross breeding solely in Australian territory | Its entire world population on one site |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened | Vulnerable |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Ocean, coastal | Ocean |
Shy Albatross vs Chatham Albatross: common questions
Which one breeds on the most restricted site?
The Chatham albatross breeds on the more restricted site, with its entire world population confined to a single rock stack, compared with the shy albatross's slightly broader three-island breeding range off Tasmania.
Which one is the larger bird?
The shy albatross is the larger of the two, holding the record as the largest of all the mollymawk albatrosses, noticeably bigger than the Chatham albatross.
Which one has a distinctive yellow bill?
The Chatham albatross has this feature, with a bright yellow bill that helps distinguish it from the shy albatross and other similar mollymawk species encountered at sea.