These smaller albatross are closely related to the wandering and royal albatross, but are only a third the weight of the larger albatrosses and have black wings and a black saddle across their back. They are commonly called mollymawks in New Zealand, but more recently are being correctly referred to as albatross.

Black-browed Albatross

Thalassarche (melanophris)

The most common species of albatross with a world population of over half a million breeding pairs. They feed aggressively around fishing boats for scraps of food. Black-browed albatross are especially vulnerable to being caught on the baited hooks of longliners. Seen throughout the year with groups of up to 10 birds sighted around fishing boats. Generally they are seen slightly further offshore than the shy albatross. Two subspecies:

Subantarctic Black-browed Albatross (melanophrys)
Breeds circumpolar on subantarctic islands. Has dark brown (black) eyes, ranges widely through southern oceans and into subtropical waters. More common in Kaikoura waters than the impavida.

Campbell Island Black-browed Albatross (impavida)
Breeds only at Campbell Island. The Campbell Island black-browed has a golden coloured eye whereas the melanophrys has a very dark coloured eye. Not as common a visitor to Kaikoura waters as the other species.

Shy Albatross

Thalassarche (cauta)

Three species that breed in the New Zealand region. The name shy albatross is something of a misnomer as they are very aggressive and bold scavengers around fishing boats.

New Zealand White-capped Albatross (steadi)
Breeds on Disappointment Island at the Auckland Islands and Antipodes Islands with a population of 64, 000 breeding pairs. The largest of the smaller albatross (mollymawks) weighing 4 kilograms. Attracted to food scraps around fishing boats and up to 3000 birds can been seen in a flock around fishing boats in the southern oceans.

Salvin's Albatross (salvini)
Breeds mainly on the Bounty Islands, a cluster of windswept rocks about 300 miles to the east of the South Island, with 76,500 breeding pairs. There is also a small colony, estimated at 1000 pairs, which breed on The Snares, situated about 130 miles south-west from the bottom of the South Island. Breeds in densely packed colonies with nests as close as 1 metre apart. Young Salvin's albatross fly to the east of New Zealand and spend several years off the coast of South America. Seen year-round off the Kaikoura Coast.

Chatham Island Albatross (eremita)
Breeds on Pyramid Rock in the Chatham Island group with a population of 4000 breeding pairs. Most Chatham Island albatross fly to the east of the Chatham's to off the coast of South America, yet individual birds are sighted off the East Coast of New Zealand. A distinctive albatross with a bright yellow bill. Feeds aggressively around fishing boats. A rare visitor to the Kaikoura Coast. Individuals are occasionally sighted around fishing boats.

Buller's Albatross

Thalassarche (bulleri)

Breeds only in the New Zealand region with a population of 32, 000 breeding pairs. Two subspecies, Northern and Southern. The main breeding colonies are at the Three Kings and Chatham Islands (Northern, platei) and on the Solander and Snares Islands (Southern bulleri), about 60 miles south of Stewart Island. Birds mate for life. Long lived with one bird being fifty years old.

Both species of Buller's albatross occur off the Kaikoura Coast, generally only individual birds being seen. Buller's albatross prefer the colder waters to the south in the Southland Current and are far more common off the Otago and Southland Coasts.

Yellow-nosed Albatross

Thalassarche (chlororhynchos)

The smallest species of albatross weighing about 2.5 kilograms. Breeds in the Subantarctic waters of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Has a distinctive yellow line along the top of the beak.

A rare visitor to the Kaikoura region in the spring with the occasional bird being seen. Those seen in Kaikoura are thought to breed in the South Indian Ocean.