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Albatrosses, Mollymawks and Giant Petrel

This section includes the largest of the oceanic birds which, for purposes of field identification, can be subdivided into three groups easily separable from each other.

(a)	The Great Albatrosses (1 and 2) are characterised by the impressive wing span (over 3 metres, 9 feet) and soaring flight. Their plumage is generally black and white, with the white back contrasting sharply with dark upperwings [or, with fully adult birds, merging into mainly white upperwings].
(b)	The Mollymawks (3-9) are significantly smaller (wing span under 3 metres) than the above and are distinguished by their black uppersurface, continuous from wing tip to wing tip, including the back. The white rump contrasts sharply with the dark back and tail. Specific identification characters include the underwing pattern as well as head and bill colour.
(c)	The Light-mantled Sooty Albatross (10) and the Giant Petrel (11) are similar in size to the Mollymawks, but are entirely dark, except for the rare white phase of the Southern Giant Petrel.