ML418874651

Behaketaren xehetasunak

Exceptional record. The first sight record for Tassie and about the 4th or 5th for Australia. Great albatross in the Wandering Albatross complex with mostly dark brown plumage. Bill relatively heavy, lacking pinched mid-bill typical of NZ forms, prominent dark cutting edge along full length of bill; distinct and unequivocal, broadest along distal third, but still distinct for remain two thirds. Plumage broadly consistent with many white-bellied brown great albatross; distinctive features included relatively intact all-dark cap, extending weakly down neck sides/rear of pale face, white face that lacked obvious dark intrusion in proximity to ear coverts typical of antipodensis, evidence that nape and neck sides plumage was progressing to paler plumage at a faster rate than adjacent feather tracts. Many photos. Bird did 3 or 4 passes of boat but never landed on water and soon departed to the east so legs were never lowered and are not evident in any photos (that is there was no opportunity to detect/observe bands if present)