Alvaro mentioned -

> One feature that separates the Laysan from the southern hemisphere
> "Mollymawks", apart from the underwing pattern, is that the laysan has a
> largely dark rump, while the others have a white rump. The southern
> hemisphere Mollymawk that resembles the Laysan most closely is the
> Black-browed Albatross, a White-capped should show some grey or dusky on the
> head.

Bingo. Can be seen at a great distance as a dark wedge extending from the
mantle toward the tail. Much more reliable than the underwing smudging
which shows much individual variation, some approaching the immaculate
underwing of a southern "Mollymawk".

- Jack


Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
Canada
jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca