Grey-headed Albatross vs White-capped Albatross
Thalassarche chrysostoma versus Thalassarche cauta
Play a quiz with Grey-headed Albatross and White-capped Albatross
Grey-headed Albatross
White-capped Albatross
In short
The Grey-headed Albatross is distinguished by its grey head and neck, contrasting with the White-capped Albatross's white head and cap. Both species are similar in structure, but the head coloration is the most reliable field mark.
Identification tips
Focus on the head coloration: look for a grey head in Grey-headed Albatross and a white head in White-capped Albatross. This is the most reliable difference when observing these birds at sea.
Plumage
The Grey-headed Albatross has a grey head and neck, while the White-capped Albatross features a white head and cap. This difference in head coloration is the key distinguishing feature.
Grey-headed Albatross · White-capped Albatross · My Tricky Birds