Salvin's albatross or Salvin's mollymawk, is a large seabird that breeds mainly on the Bounty Islands of New Zealand, with scant amounts on islands across the Southern Ocean. A medium-sized mollymawk, it was long considered to be a subspecies of the shy albatross.
Region
Southern Ocean and South Pacific
Typical Environment
Breeds mainly on the Bounty Islands east of New Zealand, with smaller numbers on a few other subantarctic islands. Outside the breeding season it disperses widely across temperate to subantarctic waters of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. It frequents open ocean far from land, often along continental shelf edges and productive upwelling zones. Birds commonly attend fishing vessels to scavenge discards. Nesting sites are on rocky ledges and sparse vegetation on windswept islands.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Salvin's albatross, also called Salvin's mollymawk, is a long-lived seabird that breeds chiefly on New Zealand's remote Bounty Islands. It ranges widely across the Southern Ocean outside the breeding season, using dynamic soaring to travel vast distances with minimal effort. It was long treated as a subspecies of the shy albatross, and identification at sea can be challenging. Bycatch in longline and trawl fisheries is a key threat.
In flight
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
soaring glider
Social Behavior
Highly colonial, nesting in dense aggregations on small subantarctic islands. Pairs are largely monogamous, laying a single egg and sharing incubation and chick-rearing duties. Courtship includes bill-clapping, sky-pointing, and vocal duets.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet at sea, but at colonies gives harsh brays, cackles, and wails during displays. Bill-clattering and guttural calls are common in pair and territorial interactions.
Plumage
Pale grey head and nape with darker grey mantle and blackish upperwings; underparts mostly white with clean white underwings bordered by narrow black margins.
Diet
Feeds mainly on squid and small fish, supplemented by crustaceans and carrion. Often takes prey from the surface or just below it, and will seize offal and discards behind fishing vessels. Opportunistic, exploiting ephemeral prey swarms and productive frontal zones.
Preferred Environment
Open pelagic waters, especially along continental shelf breaks, frontal systems, and upwelling areas. Frequently follows trawlers and longliners to scavenge.
