sooty albatross

The sooty albatross refers to either of two species of dark-colored albatrosses belonging to the genus Phoebetria. These birds are commonly found in the far southern seas.1

Albatrosses, in general, are large seabirds known for their exceptional gliding abilities, capable of staying airborne for extended periods without flapping their long, narrow wings. They are part of the order Procellariiformes and are sometimes called mollymawks or gooneys due to their tameness on land. Albatrosses typically breed on remote oceanic islands and spend much of their lives at sea, feeding on squid and sometimes scavenging from ships. The sooty albatross species have wingspans of up to about 215 cm (7 feet) and nest on islands in the southern oceans.2