Albatrosses in the Straits of Magellan (Chile) (1 Viewer)

Hi folks,

I took the following Albatross photos on a boat ride from Punta Arenas, Chile to Isla Magdalena in the Straits of Magellan in mid-March.

My best ID thus far is that they're Black-browed Albatross. The black back between the wings on the first photo would seem to rule out either of the Royal Albatrosses, and all 3 photos do appear to show something of a black eye stripe, and the fairly strong black margins of black on the underwing in the 2nd picture also suggest Black-browed.

The part I'm having trouble with is the description in Couvre & Vidal of the Black-browed Albatross as having "bill yellow with orange tip." These photos all to my eye show a pink'ish bill. These are the first/only Albatrosses I have seen, however, so I could be off.

The photos are not likely of the same individuals, as we saw quite a few of them.

What do you think?

Thanks!
-Adam-

I have only seen albatrosses in Australia, which may mean different subspecies; Your 22 and 23 I would have called Black-browed right away. Your 21 I am not sure about. The brow is weaker but I am not sure if there is any other alternative in Chile.

Niels

They are Black-browed Albatrosses for me. Is the most common in the magellan strait area.

I'm with Niels if the taxonomy hasn't changed in this groups since I last checked....