Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche chlororhynchos)

Normally found in the southern Atlantic and Indian Oceans of the southern Hemisphere, there are only a few handfuls of records for the north Atlantic waters off the US and Canada. The IUCN lists this as an Endangered Species.

Large triangular eyespot and shape of the yellow stripe (culminicorn) on top of the bill suggest this is a Western Yellow-nosed Albatross, also known as an Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross, (Thalassarche chlororhynchos chlororhynchos), which some authorities consider to be a separate species from the Eastern (Indian) Yellow-nosed Albatross.

Mostly white (with little grayish wash) head, mostly dark bill tip (lacking strongly orange-colored nail), and slightly "messy" pattern to the white underwings (see below) indicate this is not yet a full adult bird.

The only other species of albatross recorded from North Carolina waters is the Black-browed Albatross, which is a bit larger and has a pinkish-orange bill.

Albatrosses must run across the water surface in order to get enough lift to go airborne.

We found this bird about 4 miles offshore from Avon, NC. Land can be seen in the distance of this photo.

Attracted to chum, the albatross joined scores of gulls at our stern. It can be seen in this photo sitting on the water behind the gulls (a mix of Great Black-backed, Lesser Black-backed, and Herring).

Captain Brian Patteson points to the albatross from the bow of the Stormy Petrel II. Many thanks to Kate Sutherland and Brian Patteson for conducting top notch seabirding opportunities off North Carolina!

There is a name for that type of grin...