Albatross identification

[Ross Silcock]

Shouldn't an imm Buller's/Pacific show the yellow at the base of the lower mandible extending distally along the lower edge of the lower mandible, per Tony Pym's pics and discussion? I agree with Richard re the size of the bill, though; the bird's jizz is not typical of a "Shy" albatross/ Perhaps its behavior/location are enough to suggest it's not being completely normal anyway, including the possibility that it is a bit of a runt, including its bill.

[Ross Silcock]

The specific picture I referred to on Tony Pym's site is at http://www.seabirding.co.uk/images/enhancedalb.jpg

Ross

[Brent Stephenson]

I received an email from Colin Miskelly this morning (who is yet to join). He has suggested the following -

"The bird that Craig photographed looks like fledgling Buller's mollymawks that I have banded and photographed on Snares and Little Solander Islands. The bill is too pale and slender for a juvenile of the cauta group. Could you ask Craig what date the photograph was taken (he said "winter 2007"), as southern Buller's mollymawks typically fledge in early spring (Aug-Oct, though I have seen tail-enders in November), whereas the northern Buller's mollymawks fledge in winter (May-July). While location would suggest southern, the date might be too early."

Colin also found this photo in the DOC archive of a Southern Buller's alb chick at the nest.
Copyright DOC via Colin Miskelly

(194.34 KiB) Viewed 10347 times

I'm hoping to track down some images of Northern Buller's alb chicks at the nest in the Chathams over the next few days, although this may not eventuate as Colin suggests there may not have been visits at the right time of year. The colouration of the bill in the image above is far darker than the Awarua bird, but as Colin suggests he has seen paler billed birds, and in a subsequent email ventured

"I suspect the bills get paler towards (and after fledging), as they are blackish as young chicks....
All my southern fledgling images are well buried slides of 1985-87 vintage, but Craig's images fitted my recollections."

Thanks for the input Colin, much appreciated. Interesting debate and yet again furthering our knowledge of seabird plumages!
Cheers,

[Craig McKenzie]

Digital photography has many advantages. One is that I can confidently state that the photographs were taken on the 26th August about 10:00am.

Regards

[Brent Stephenson]

Thanks Craig,
That fits perfectly with Colin's estimate of fledging Aug-Oct, so it looks like the bird is indeed a Southern Buller's albatross. The underwing you can see in your additional image of the bird standing with wings slightly raised would suggest too much of a dark line to the leading edge of the underwing for any of the Shy group.
Cheers,

[AlexThompson]

Hi all

Just to be controversial. I have just showed the pictures to Gary and he is pretty sure it is a Salvins!
The reasons being the bill is heavier (thicker) you would expect to see on a Bullers and there is the beggings of a black spot on the lower mandable which is indicitive of a Salvins.

Cheers

Alex

[jelsworth]

Hi,

My first response was Salvins (before I scanned down the page to see what others thought). However, to say that I'm not a seabird expert would probably be an example of classic English understatement.

[AlexThompson]

The other feature which points towards Salvins is the lack of distinct white cresent behind the eyes.

[Jan]

My twopenneth, for what it's worth.
I thought Salvins for sure and wondered if someone would ask Gary.
The 3rd of Craig's pics shows the yellow border down the base of the lower mandible that everyone says is missing.
The 2nd pic shows fishing line? binding the tip of the bird's beak together? or is this something else like lice tracks?
The bird must be stressed with the parasites etc., and might not be showing bright borders to the beak as a result.
The black beak spot, for me, is a give away. But I haven't worked with juv albs., just seen a lot flying and another lot dead on beaches.
Sco is back in August!

Cheers,
Jan Walker

[Craig McKenzie]

Hi Jan

At first I also wondered what the lines were in the black of the bill. A bit of enlargement shows them to just be downy feathers. A larger image can be seen on my Flickr site.



Everyone else

I kind of like the idea of it being a Salvins. Even if only because it is the only in focus photo I have of one. Although it is really only a record shot it adds to the list seen and photographed at Awarua Bay. For those interested they can be seen here http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigmcken ... 653130355/.

Regards