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Story: Albatrosses

Mollymawk colony

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Mollymawk colony

The colonies of the smaller albatrosses or mollymawks are much more densely packed than great albatross colonies. Nests are spaced just out of beak reach. These colonies are noisy, as adults on nests vocally defend their patch from neighbours and passers by. Non-breeding birds also come and go, and their socialising and fighting adds to the noise. Mollymawk colonies, like this one of Campbell and grey-headed mollymawks at Bull Rock, Campbell Island, are often on cliff ledges to allow for easy take off.

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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/7058/mollymawk-colony (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Paul Sagar, published 2 March 2009.