Bird
White-capped Albatross
Thalassarche steadiAlso known as Auckland Islands Mollymawk, White-capped Mollymawk
White-capped albatrosses are majestic oceanic wanderers that spend years at sea gliding effortlessly across cold southern waters via dynamic soaring. Adults return to wind-swept subantarctic islands off New Zealand to nest on rocky plateaus and tussock slopes, raising a single chick over a lengthy breeding season. They frequently congregate behind commercial fishing trawlers, scavenging discarded offal alongside other pelagic seabirds.
PelagicSeabirdSubantarctic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyArrow squid, Jack mackerel, Salps
Predators
- Killer whale
- Subantarctic skua
- Giant petrel
ThreatsBycatch in longline and trawl fisheries, marine pollution, and extreme weather events
HabitatsOpen southern oceans, shelf waters, and remote windswept subantarctic islands
Life span30 to 40 years
Classification
- OrderProcellariiformes
- FamilyDiomedeidae
- GenusThalassarche
- SpeciesThalassarche steadi
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance from boats or shore.
- What to notice
- Recognize by the large pale gray-and-white body, silvery-white cap, and pale bill with a faint yellowish tip.
- Support conservation
- Observe exclusively from marine vessels, keeping a respectful distance to avoid altering natural foraging or resting behaviors.
Responsible observation
- Pelagic Charters: Join dedicated seabird boat trips off southern New Zealand or South Africa for the best views.
- Binocular Glances: Scan trailing wakes behind fishing vessels where individuals gather to feed.
- Nesting Protocol: Avoid approaching breeding colonies on subantarctic islands, as landing permits are strictly regulated.
Same Genus (c) Christopher Stephens, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Same Genus no rights reserved, uploaded by Mark Fraser · cc0
Predator (c) Erasmo Macaya Horta, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Erasmo Macaya Horta · cc-by
Neighbor (c) M Rutherford, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) JJ Harrison, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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