Thalassarche carteri (Rothschild, 1903)

Morphometrics

The Indian yellow-nosed albatross (Thalassarche carteri) has an average weight of 2.55 kg (5.6 lb), a body length of 76 cm (30 in), and a wingspan of 2 m (6.6 ft).

Adult Plumage

Adult individuals have a pale grey or white head and nape, paired with a dark grey mantle, upperwing, and tail. Their rump and underparts are white, and their underwing is white with a black tip and a narrow black margin along the leading edge.

Adult Bill

The adult bill is black, with a yellow upper ridge and a red tip.

Juvenile Appearance

Juveniles have a white head and an entirely black bill.

Similar Species Distinction

This species is hard to tell apart from the closely related grey-headed albatross and Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross.

Taxonomic History

It was long considered the same species as the Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross, and some taxonomists still treat it as a subspecies of that bird.

Identification from Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross

The Indian yellow-nosed albatross can be separated from the Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross by its head, which has lighter grey plumage.

Breeding Locations

This albatross breeds on the Prince Edward Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Island, Amsterdam Island (specifically on the Falaises d'Entrecasteaux), and St Paul Islands in the Indian Ocean.

Foraging Range During Incubation

When foraging for food during incubation, individual birds can travel up to 1,500 km (930 mi) away from their breeding colony.

Non-breeding Marine Range

At sea, its range extends from South Africa to the Pacific Ocean just beyond New Zealand, between 30° S and 50° S.

Breeding Colony Behavior

Like all albatrosses, the Indian yellow-nosed albatross breeds in colonies. It breeds every year, and adults reach breeding age at eight years old.

Nest and Clutch

It builds a mud nest in bare rocky areas, tussock grass, or ferns, and lays a single egg each breeding attempt.

Breeding Timeline

The nesting season starts in August, and egg laying takes place around September or October.

Incubation Period

Incubation lasts approximately 70 days.

Chick Fledging Period

After hatching, the chick takes around 115 days to fledge.