Mollymawk
Description
Thalassarche chlororhynchos, Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross Thalassarche carteri, Indian yellow-nosed albatross Thalassarche bulleri, Buller's albatross Thalassarche cauta, shy albatross Thalassarche steadi, white-capped albatross Thalassarche eremita, Chatham albatross Thalassarche salvini, Salvin's albatross Thalassarche impavida, Campbell albatross Thalassarche chrysostoma, grey-headed albatross Thalassarche melanophrys, black-browed albatross †Thalassarche thyridata Mollymawks have the largest range in size of all the albatross genera, as their wingspans are 180 to 256 cm (71–101 in). Mollymawks have what has been described as gull-like plumage, with dark black backs, mantle and tails and lighter heads, underwings and bellies. The heads of several species are often slightly darker grey, or have dark around the eyes. They all have a colourful pinkish flesh stripe from their gape to their ear that is shown during displays. They have distinctive bill structure and colouring which makes for easier identifying than other albatrosses. The bills of mollymawks are either brightly coloured orange or yellow, or dark with several bright yellow lines.
Mollymawk-4