---
title: "A Grey-headed Albatross incubates a pseudo-egg made of vegetation"
---

# A Grey-headed Albatross incubates a pseudo-egg made of vegetation

Stefan and Janine Schoombie ([FitzPatrick Institute](http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/), Rondebosch, University of Cape Town, South Africa) have published in [*Seabird*](http://www.seabirdgroup.org.uk/publications), the annual journal of the United Kingdom-based [Seabird Group](http://www.seabirdgroup.org.uk/), on a Grey-headed Albatross *Thalassarche chrysostoma* incubating an egg-shaped mass of vegetation on [Marion Island](https://www.acap.aq/news/news-archive/60-2013-news-archive/1371-acap-breeding-sites-no-27-sub-antarctic-marion-island-a-research-laboratory-for-albatrosses-and-petrels?highlight=WyJtYXJpb24iLCJtYXJpb24ncyIsIm5vIiwiJ25vIl0=&lang=en).

 The paper considers this observation in the light of other records of seabirds incubating “pseudo-eggs”, including stones, bones, light bulbs and even beer cans*, and the several hypotheses as to how this habit may come about.

 *and sea shells (JC pers. obs.)

 ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/G/Grey_headed/GHA_pseudo_egg.shrunk.Stefan.Schoombie.jpg)

 A Grey-headed Albatross rises from incubating its pseudo-egg, photograph by Stefan Schoombie

 With thanks to Stefan Schoombie.

 **Reference:**

 Schoombie, S. & Schoombie, J. 2017. Pseudo-egg “fabrication” by Grey-headed Albatrosses *Thalassarche chrysostoma* on Marion Island. *Seabird* 30: 71-74.

 *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 17 April 2018*