The Chatham albatross, also known as the Chatham mollymawk or Chatham Island mollymawk, is a medium-sized black-and-white albatross which breeds only on The Pyramid, a large rock stack in the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. It is sometimes treated as a subspecies of the shy albatross. It is the smallest of the shy albatross group.
Region
South Pacific Ocean
Typical Environment
Breeds on steep ledges of The Pyramid in the Chatham Islands and spends most of its life at sea. After breeding, it disperses widely across the temperate South Pacific, frequently occurring east of New Zealand and into the Humboldt Current off Chile and Peru. Individuals also range through the Tasman Sea and along productive frontal zones and shelf edges. It favors areas of strong upwelling and convergences where prey concentrates and rarely approaches land away from colonies.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Chatham albatross breeds almost exclusively on The Pyramid (Rangitatahi), a single rock stack in the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. It is the smallest member of the shy-type albatross group and is sometimes treated as a former subspecies of the shy albatross. Birds range widely across the South Pacific outside the breeding season, using dynamic soaring to travel vast distances with minimal effort. Conservation actions include translocations to establish an additional colony and mitigation of fisheries bycatch.
Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania
Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania
Temperament
social at sea and colonial at the breeding site
Flight Pattern
soaring glider using dynamic soaring and slope lift
Social Behavior
Breeds in dense colonies on narrow ledges and terraces, forming long-term monogamous pairs. A single egg is laid, with both adults sharing incubation and chick rearing. Adults show strong site fidelity, returning to the same nesting area each year.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations are mostly harsh brays, croaks, and wails at colonies, accompanied by bill-clapping during displays. At sea it is generally quiet, giving occasional guttural calls during interactions.
Plumage
Crisp black-and-white mollymawk pattern with dark slate-grey to black upperwings and back, contrasting white underparts and rump. Underwings are mostly white with a narrow black margin and dark tips. The head is pale grey with a subtle dusky mask around the eye.
Diet
Feeds mainly on squid and small to medium-sized fish, and will also take crustaceans. It often seizes prey from the surface or just below, occasionally making shallow plunges. The species readily follows fishing vessels to scavenge offal, which increases risk of bycatch.
Preferred Environment
Forages over productive shelf edges, frontal zones, and upwelling systems such as the Humboldt Current. Typically feeds far offshore in open ocean but may approach continental margins where prey is concentrated.
