Gibson's albatross (
Diomedea antipodensis gibsoni) is a large seabird in the
albatross family, Diomedeidae, named after the Australian amateur ornithologist
John Douglas Gibson. It is found principally in the
Auckland Islands of New Zealand, foraging in the
Tasman Sea, with most individuals nesting on
Adams Island. Gibson's albatross is classified as part of the same species as the
Antipodean albatross, but is generally paler in colour. Adult birds are white on the back, with white plumage on the head and body and fine grey barring. The tail is white with black edges, except in older males in which it may be completely white, while the bill is pale pink. This Gibson's albatross was photographed in flight off the south-eastern coast of
Tasmania, Australia.
Photograph credit: John Harrison
