Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos Feeding on a Dead Sea Turtle

Albatrosses mostly forage for fish, squid, and crustaceans (including discards from fishing vessels), but they also scavenge animal carcasses, a behavior still poorly characterized for some albatross species. In July 2021 during a pelagic birding trip off the coast of São Paulo State, Southeast Brazil, three Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos were spotted feeding on the floating carcass of a Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta. This behavior had not been previously documented in the literature, on-line citizen science platforms, or by personal observations. We believe this to be an uncommon feeding strategy for this albatross species.