Bullers Albatross

Thalassarche bulleri, otherwise known as Buller's Albatross or a Mollymowk.

These are a lesser albatross species with 2 meter + wingspans. They breed on the islands around New Zealand and forage throughout the southern Pacific and Australia. We see many lesser albatross species out here, but the bright yellow bills of these birds make this species one of the most striking.

We watched this one harass a fur seal for a big salmon it caught of the coast. It was an unusual moment and behavior none of us have ever seen before. Each time the seal rose to the surface to twist off a chunk of fish the bird dived down aggressively to nab a morsel. Still hungry it paddled over close to our bough eyeing us for any possibility of a meal.