Identification
Breeds in New Zealand and ranges across temperate South Pacific to Humboldt Current, where it is by far the most numerous “gray-hooded” albatross off Chile and Peru. All ages have gray hood, narrow black leading edge on the underwing (wider and messier on immature). Adult has a dirty pale yellowish bill with duskier sides and a black spot near tip. The bill on immatures is dark, dusky grayish with a black tip; mostly like adult in 3 years. Compare with the smaller Buller’s Albatross and rare Chatham Albatross.