Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena

Huge albatross of the South Atlantic Ocean; breeds on Gough and Inaccessible Islands. Ranges extensively at sea from Argentina to South Africa, occasionally further east, but identification from other Wandering-type albatrosses is very difficult and often presumed by range. Plumage highly variable, starting chocolate-brown with a white face and gradually becoming whiter over many years. Younger birds separated from Southern Royal Albatross by darker tail, brown markings on head and back, and lack of black “lips” on cutting edge of bill. Older birds more difficult to separate; focus on more coarsely marked upperwings, often with conspicuous white patch in center of wing, and lack of black “lips”. Often shows orange stain on cheek, never shown by Southern Royal. Identification from other Wandering-type Albatross, especially Snowy, extremely difficult. Tristan usually occurs further north, but significant overlap.