When is an albatross not an albatross? When we call it a molymauk!

Albatross and molymauk are all of the same family and genera, so can all correctly be called albatross. However, by convention we tend to keep the term 'albatross' just for the two called Toroa, the wandering albatross and the royal albatross. Other names given to these birds are wanderer, snowy albatross and Goonie (or Gooney) birds.

The origin of the word 'mollymauk' is obscure but may come from the Dutch or Danish word 'mallemuk' meaning 'stupid gull' - this possibly because of their lack of fear of humans, or their ungainly walk when on land.

Toroa, royal albatross

Buller's mollymawk

Buller's mollymawk

Shy mollymawk

Also known as molly, white-capped albatross and Antipodean albatross.

The pale grey on the side of the head tells that the three Shy mollymawk pictures are of the Salvini sub-species.

Shy mollymawk

Shy mollymawk