English and Scientific names:

Yellow-nosed Albatross  Thalassarche chlororhynchos

Number of individuals: 

1 adult

Locality: LOUISIANA: 

Cameron

Specific Locality:

~two miles west of Holly Beach

Date(s) when observed:

21/Sept/2006

Time(s) of day when observed:  

10:10 am

Reporting observer and address:

Michael Musumeche

Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

James Beck

Other observers who independently identified the bird(s)

limited with threatening storms

Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

 

Optical equipment: 

Zeiss 10x42

Distance to bird(s): 

~200 yards

Duration of observation:

~5 seconds

Habitat: 

open Gulf of Mexico

Behavior of bird: 

Gliding a few meters above very rough waves with threatening severe thunderstorms.

Description:

I was with James Beck who got excellent and definitive looks at said bird. I was a bit delayed in locating bird because of severe thunderstorm that bird was evidently being transported in.  When I located bird, I observed a large stiff winged bird, ~7-8' wingspan.  I only saw the dorsal surface as it banked and then the severe rain obscured it.  I observed a dark mantle and upper wings with white tail and head. James Beck got all the defining fieldmarks that put a positive ID on this bird.

Voice:

none

Similar species:

Black-browed Albatross.  Same field marks as above but with a dark bill.

Photographs or tape recordings obtained?

none

Previous experience with this species: 

none

Identification aids:

NG Field Guide to Birds of NA

This description is written from: 

memory

Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain: 

 

Yes, because of Jame Beck's account to me that clearly defines the fieldmarks missed by me of Yellow-billed Albatross.

Reporter: 

Michael Musumeche

Date and time: 

22/Sept/2006