Grey-headed Albatross

Thalassarche chrysostoma is a medium-sized albatross breeding in New Zealand’s subantarctic region. It differs from yellow-nosed albatrosses through its fully grey head and black bill with yellow lines on both mandibles. Adults have a grey head and neck, white body and dark upperwings. The black bill carries yellow upper and lower stripes that meet at an orange tip.

It breeds on Campbell Island in the New Zealand region and on other Southern Ocean islands. Birds forage across cold oceanic fronts far from land. They catch squid, fish and crustaceans at the surface and by shallow diving. Long foraging journeys alternate with chick-feeding visits during breeding.

The New Zealand classification is Nationally Vulnerable. Campbell Island voyages offer breeding-area views, and Kaikōura trips occasionally encounter visitors.