The Campbell albatross or Campbell mollymawk, is a medium-sized mollymawk in the albatross family. It breeds only on Campbell Island and the associated islet of Jeanette Marie, in a small New Zealand island group in the South Pacific. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the black-browed albatross. It is a medium-sized black and white albatross with a pale yellow iris.
Region
Southwest Pacific and Southern Ocean
Typical Environment
Breeds on grassy slopes and coastal cliffs of Campbell Island in the New Zealand Subantarctic. Outside the breeding season it forages over pelagic waters of the Southern Ocean and the Tasman Sea, often near shelf edges and frontal zones. It is regularly recorded off southeastern Australia and around New Zealand, and may range as far as the south-central Pacific. At sea it prefers productive waters influenced by upwellings and oceanic fronts, and frequently attends fishing vessels for discards.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Campbell mollymawk, this species breeds only on Campbell Island and the nearby islet of Jeanette Marie, south of New Zealand. At sea it ranges widely across the Subantarctic and Tasman seas and is often seen following fishing vessels. It was once treated as a subspecies of the black-browed albatross but differs notably in its pale yellow iris and bill coloration. Long-lived and highly philopatric, pairs usually reunite at the same nest site year after year.
Juvenile
Adult in flight
Temperament
social at sea but territorial at nest
Flight Pattern
soaring glider using dynamic and slope soaring over waves
Social Behavior
Breeds in dense colonies on tussock-covered slopes and cliff ledges, forming long-term monogamous pairs. A single egg is laid per season in a pedestal nest of mud and vegetation, with both parents incubating and provisioning the chick. Adults show strong site fidelity and often reuse the same nest platform.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet at sea, vocalizations increase at colonies during displays. Calls include harsh squawks, moans, and bill-clattering during courtship and territorial interactions.
Plumage
Crisp black-and-white mollymawk with dark upperwings and mantle contrasting with white underparts and head. Underwings are mostly white with bold black margins and tips. The 'brow' forms a dark smudge through the eye, giving a stern expression.
Diet
Feeds mainly on squid, fish, and crustaceans taken from the surface or just below, often at frontal zones and shelf breaks. It readily scavenges offal and discards from fishing vessels. Foraging methods include surface seizing, shallow plunges, and occasional pursuit just below the surface.
Preferred Environment
Pelagic waters of the Subantarctic and temperate Southern Ocean, especially near productive upwellings and convergence zones. Frequently forages in the wake of trawlers and longliners.
