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Story: Albatrosses

Chatham Island mollymawks

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Chatham Island mollymawks

These Chatham Island mollymawks have a distinctive slate-grey head, neck and shoulders, and a yellow bill. Mollymawks are smaller than the great albatrosses, but have similar proportions and features. These include a sturdy, hooked bill and a strong, stocky body. Their large webbed feet are important for swimming and for running across the water as they take off.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10038071

by C. J. R. Robertson

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How to cite this page

Paul Sagar, Albatrosses – Albatrosses, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/7055/chatham-island-mollymawks (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Paul Sagar, published 2 March 2009.