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Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) Albatrosses (Diomedeidae) | |||||||||||||
Sortbrynet Albatros ~ Albatros de Ceja Negra ~ Svartbrynad Albatross | |||||||||||||
3707
(14 photos)
2018-01-06 Quintero Pelagic (cl), Chile
Immature. Several birds. Immature black-browed are first of all separated from the other thalassarches albatrosses, that are frequently seen in these waters: Salvin's, Buller's and Chatham Albatrosses, by the generally white neck and head. The others all show a larger degree of gray to this part of the plumage. Next, the bill color and size is important and it is often necessary to get good views of the details to be able to say anything about species. The mollymawks normally gain an adult-like plumage after third cycle while still being immature, which is supported by the still dull-colored bill. Immature black-browed soon show a white center to the underwing, why for example the bird in photos 2-4 probably is a first cycle bird still showing an almost completely dark underwing. Also notice the strange-looking outer primaries on the left wing, where it looks like there is an abnormal gap at the base of the feathers. The bird in photo 8 is the one that looks most mature based on the bill coloration, thus perhaps a third cycle bird, and the rest perhaps second? We didn't see any adults on the this trip; probably expected due to the ongoing breeding season. |