Shy Mollymawk
Thalassarche cauta
- Class
- Bird
- Rarity
- Epic
- Observations
- 2,996
- Most observed in
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand
- Conservation
- Near Threatened
Description
The shy albatross (Thalassarche cauta), also known as the shy mollymawk, is a medium-sized albatross that breeds on three remote islands off the coast of Tasmania, Australia, in the southern Indian Ocean. Its lifespan is about 60 years, and it has been seen as far afield as South Africa and the Pacific coast of the United States. As of June 2020, the species is listed as "Endangered" in Australia; there are thought to be 15,000 pairs of shy albatross left. It is Australia's only endemic albatross. Some authorities call this species the white-capped albatross, but that name is more commonly applied to Thalassarche cauta steadi.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Shy albatross”.