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Hi,
At the weekend I came across an
odd-looking juvenile albatross. At first glance, I wondered if it was a
Salvin's but closer inspection it became clear that it was not. The bird was
small and the bill very slender, unlike Shy-type albatrosses. I've put two
photos on the web for interest (www.ecology-solutions.com.au/misc/albatross2.jpg
and www.ecology-solutions.com.au/misc/albatross.jpg).
As you can see in the image of the bird on the water, there is a hint of yellow
about the bill - on the top of the culmen and the lower mandible - I have placed
a colour-enhanced head shot at www.ecology-solutions.com.au/misc/albatross3.jpg for
reference. The size, shape and colour of the bill at least rules out anything
but a Buller's. The head colour however is very
dark for a juvenile Buller's and I am speculating as to whether, if this is not
a Buller's in the early stage of moult whether it might be a Pacific /
northern Buller's Albatross. The head colour was not smoky grey, as it would be
in an adult northern Buller's, but instead a browny-grey, which I would think
indicates immature rather than adult feathering. I cannot find any images of juveniles of this species that would indicate
the head colour is darker than in northern Buller's but this may be the case. I
am keen to find out if anyone can provide me with reference material or
have any experience of this species / comments on my assessment.
Cheers,
Simon Mustoe.
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