• Diomedeidae Gray, G.R. 1840. A List of the Genera of Birds, with an indication of the typical species of each genus. London : R. & J.E. Taylor viii 80 pp. [Date published Apr 1840: published before Apr.] [78] [original spelling; Conserved in the Official List of Family-group Names in Zoology or in the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology. Op. 656. Diomedea Linnaeus, 1758, Systema Naturae, Ed. 10, vol. 1, p. 132 (gender: feminine) (type species, by designation by Gray, 1840 (List Genera Birds: 78): Diomedea exulans Linnaeus, 1758, Systema Naturae, Ed. 10, vol. 1, p. 132) (Aves). Op. 67 diomedeae, Pediculus, Fabricius, 1775, Syst. Entomol.: 808, as interpreted by the neotype designated by Clay, 1940 (Sci. Rept. British Graham Land Exped., 1: 299-302, figs. 1, 2, 4a, 5a, 6a) (Insecta, Mallophaga). Op. 656].

  Type genus:

   Diomedea Linnaeus, 1758.

  Secondary source:

   Brodkorb, P. 1963. Catalogue of fossil birds. Part 1 (Archaeopterygiformes through Ardeiformes). Bulletin of the Florida State Museum. Biological Sciences 7: 179-293 [241]; Bock, W.J. 1994. History and nomenclature of avian family-group names. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 222: 1-281 [130].
• Phoebetriidae Mathews, G.M. 1946. A Working List of Australian Birds including the Australian Quadrant and New Zealand. Sydney : G.M. Mathews 184 pp. [11].

  Type genus:

   Phoebetria Reichenbach, 1853.

  Secondary source:

   Bock, W.J. 1994. History and nomenclature of avian family-group names. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 222: 1-281 [130].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Brodkorb, P. 1963. Catalogue of fossil birds. Part 1 (Archaeopterygiformes through Ardeiformes). Bulletin of the Florida State Museum. Biological Sciences 7: 179-293
• Bock, W.J. 1994. History and nomenclature of avian family-group names. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 222: 1-281

Introduction

Albatrosses form this distinctive family, and their grouping has been supported through DNA analysis and interpretation of the family (Nunn et al. 1996). This provides the basis for the current taxonomic stance of the family and their sequence of genera is followed by subsequent authors such as Christidis & Boles (2008). The Diomedeidae are separated from the other families within the Procellariiformes on the basis of genetics and morphological characteristics, mainly on their nasal tubes. The nasal tubes are situated along the sides of the bill; other morphological characteristics include the absence of a hind toe while the remaining three anterior toes are interlinked with webbing. The family possibly had their origins some 35–30 million years ago in the Oligocene period although the suggestion has been made that an earlier representative Tytthostonyx existed in the late Cretaceus at 70 mya.

Today this family is centred in the southern oceans with small populations populating the central and north-western Pacific. Fossil records indicate a once more cosmopolitan distribution across all oceans. The number of extant species continues to be debated: estimates vary from 14 to 24 (Robertson & Nunn 1998; Penhallurick & Wink 2004; Dénes & Silveira 2007). Four albatross genera are identified: Diomedea — great albatrosses, Phoebastria — Northern Pacific populations, Thalassarche — mollymawks, and Phoebetria — sooty albatrosses. Within these are 14 species, ten of which are regularly observed in Australian territorial waters while others are considered vagrants. Only one, >Thalassarche cauta the Shy Albatross, nests on an island within Bass Strait; others breed on Australian subantarctic territorial possessions.

The diomedeids, some representing the largest marine birds, are more often seen in singles or small groups although some exhibit highly gregarious tendencies about feeding localities such as ocean up-swells, which provide an abundance of food. They feed primarily on the water’s surface or by diving and scavenging, but primarily on cephalopods obtained from the water’s surface. Other foods include fish and smaller marine animals. One subgroup (the sooty albatrosses) has been recorded as taking birds. All have lengthy wings (the extent often reaching over three and a half metres) thatt have narrowed and enable the birds to glide with ease over extended distances. They all have tube-noses and, like other species with an aquatic penchant, their legs are situated towards the rear of the body. The group is generally silent although the occasional utterance of a grunting note may be heard. Their primary use of vocalisations is about the nest when the pair is mating or in greeting as the pair alternates incubation or care of the nestling. The majority of the species frequent the southern oceans where they move following ocean and wind currents. They are principally pelagic, coming to Australian coastal waters during the cooler months and then only infrequently. Concentrations formerly gathered at potential food sources such as those provided by sewerage outfalls but as these finally diminished the birds moved elsewhere.

For Australian species, colonial breeding for most species occurs on subantarctic islands, apart from T. cauta, where established pairs reunite every second year at their previous nest site. Courtship involves a series of vocalisations in conjunction with an elaborate display. The nest is a depression in level ground often accompanied by the provision of a small amount of vegetation. Both adults incubate a single egg which is large, white (becoming nest stained) and often marked by an indistinct pale brown ring about its larger end. The young is attended by both adults, one relieving the other after several weeks at sea, and is finally left alone while both parents feed. The young is precocial, being covered with a fine down that quickly develops into a thick layer of feathers. Young birds are ready to depart from the nest site when fully grown at up to 12 months.

Excluded Taxa

Vagrant Species

CAVS:0738
DIOMEDEIDAE: Phoebastria immutabilis (Rothschild, 1893) [Laysan Albatross; single individual reported on Norfolk Island] — Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 1994. The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories. Monograph 2. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union iv 112 pp.; Simpson, K. & Day, N. 2004. Birds of Australia. Camberwell, Victoria : Penguin Group (Australia) Edn 7, pp. 382. [286]; Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing 288 pp. [18]

CAVS:9960
DIOMEDEIDAE: Thalassarche chlororhynchos (Gmelin, 1789) [Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross]

CAVS:0863
DIOMEDEIDAE: Thalassarche eremita Murphy, 1930 [Chatham Albatross]

General References

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing 288 pp. [84-87]

Dénes, F.V. & Silveira, L.F. 2007. Cranial osteology and taxonomy of albatrosses of genus Dimedea Linneaus, 1758 and Thalassarche Reichenbach, 1853 (Procellariformes: Diomeidae). Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia. São Paulo 47: 43-61

Nunn, G.B., Cooper, J., Jouventin, P., Robertson, C.J.R. & Robertson, G.G. 1996. Evolutionary relationships among extant albatrosses (Procellariiformes: Diomedeidae) established from complete cytochrome-b gene sequences. Auk 113: 784-801

Penhullurick, J. & Wink, M. 2004. Analysis of the taxonomy and nomenclature of the Procellariiformes based on complete nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The Emu 104: 125 – 147

Robertson, C.J.R. & Nunn, G.B. 1998. Towards a new taxonomy for albatrosses. pp. 13-19 in G. Robertson and R. Gales. Albatross Biology and Conservation. Chipping Norton : Surrey Beatty pp. 312.

History of changes

• Diomedea Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundem classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentis, synonymis, locis. Editio decima, reformata. Holmiae : Laurentii Salvii Vol. 1 10 Edn., 824 pp. [132].

  Type species:

   Diomedea exulans Linnaeus, 1758 by subsequent designation, see Gray, G.R. 1840. A List of the Genera of Birds, with an indication of the typical species of each genus. London : R. & J.E. Taylor viii 80 pp. [Date published Apr 1840: published before Apr.] [78].

  Secondary source:

   Condon, H.T. 1975. Checklist of the Birds of Australia. Part 1 Non-Passerines. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union xx 311 pp. [13]; Tennyson, A.J.D. 2010. Order PROCELLARIIFORMES: Albatrosses, Petrels, Prions and Shearwaters. pp.64-135 in Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp. [64].
• Albatrus Brisson, M.-J. 1760. Ornithologie ou méthode contenant la Division des oiseaux en Ordres, Sectiones, Genres, Espèces & leurs Variétés. Paris : J.-B. Bauche Vol. I xxiv 526 lxxiii pp. XXXVII pls. [54].

  Type species:

   Diomedea exulans Linnaeus, 1758 by monotypy.

  Secondary source:

   Mathews, G.M. 1927. Systema Avium Australasianarum. A systematic list of the birds of the Australasian region. London : British Ornithologists' Union Pt 1 iv 426 pp. [129].
• Diomedia Linnaeus, C. 1766. Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Holmiae [=Stockholm] : Laurentii Salvii, Tomus I. Regnum Animale(1) Editio duodecima, reformata [3 vols., 1766-68], 532 pp. [erroneous spelling of Diomedea Linnaeus].

  Type species:

   Diomedea exulans Linnaeus, 1758 by subsequent designation.
• Albatrossa Brünnich, M.T. 1772. Zoologiae fundamenta praelectionibus academicus accommodata; grunde i dyrelaeren. Hafniae et Lipsiae : Frider. Christ. Pelt 253 pp. [80].

  Type species:

   Diomedea exulans Linnaeus, 1758 by monotypy.

  Secondary source:

   Mathews, G.M. 1927. Systema Avium Australasianarum. A systematic list of the birds of the Australasian region. London : British Ornithologists' Union Pt 1 iv 426 pp. [129]; Condon, H.T. 1975. Checklist of the Birds of Australia. Part 1 Non-Passerines. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union xx 311 pp. [13].
• Diomedaea Lesson, R.P. 1825. Distribution geographique de quelques Oiseaux marins, observes dans le Voyage autour du monde de la corvette la Coquille. Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Paris 6: 88-106 [95].

  Type species:

   Diomedea exulans Linnaeus, 1758 by subsequent designation.
• Albatros Lesson, R.P. 1828. Manuel d' Ornithologie, ou Description des Genres et des principales Espèces d'Oiseaux. Paris : Roret Vol. 2 448 pp. [389].

  Type species:

   Diomedea exulans Linnaeus, 1758 (new name for Diomedea Linnaeus, 1758) by subsequent designation.

  Secondary source:

   Condon, H.T. 1975. Checklist of the Birds of Australia. Part 1 Non-Passerines. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union xx 311 pp. [13].
• Diomaedea Lesson, R.P. 1831. Traité d'Ornithologie, ou Tableau méthodique des ordres, sous-ordres, familles, tribus, genres, sous-genres et races d'oiseaux. Paris : F.G. Levrault Vol. 1 xxxii 659 pp., Vol. 2 (Atlas) xii pp. [608] [new name for Diomedea Linnaeus, 1758].

  Type species:

   Diomedea exulans Linnaeus, 1758 by subsequent designation.
• Rhothonia Murphy, R.C. 1917. A new albatross from the west coast of South America. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 37: 861-864 [861].

  Type species:

   Rhothonia sanfordi Murphy, 1917 by original designation.

  Secondary source:

   Condon, H.T. 1975. Checklist of the Birds of Australia. Part 1 Non-Passerines. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union xx 311 pp. [13]; Tennyson, A.J.D. 2010. Order PROCELLARIIFORMES: Albatrosses, Petrels, Prions and Shearwaters. pp.64-135 in Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp. [64].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Norfolk Island Province (21), Macquarie Island Province (24), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.), Macquarie Island terrestrial & freshwater

History of changes

• Diomedea amsterdamensis Roux, J.P., Jouventin, P., Mougin, J.L., Stahl, J.C. & Weimerskirch, H. 1983. Un nouvel albatros Diomedea amsterdamensis n. sp. decouvert sur L'ile Amsterdam (37°50'S, 77°35'E). Oiseau et la Revue Française d'Ornithologie 53(1): 1-11.

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP C.G. 1982-1139 Skin, Amsterdam Island [37°50’S 77°35’E].

  Type locality references:

  Voisin, J.-F., Mougin, J.-L. & Jouanain, C. 1997. Liste des types d'Oiseaux des collections du Muséum National d'Historie naturelle (France). 5. Procellariiformes (avec une note sur les catalogues du laboratoire des Mammifères et Oiseaux. Zoosystema 19(4): 757-788 [759].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Roux, J.P., Jouventin, P., Mougin, J.L., Stahl, J.C. & Weimerskirch, H. 1983. Un nouvel albatros Diomedea amsterdamensis n. sp. decouvert sur L'ile Amsterdam (37°50'S, 77°35'E). Oiseau et la Revue Française d'Ornithologie 53(1): 1-11 [8]

Distribution

States

South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Sight records and tracking data indicate this species is a regualr visitor to waters off southern Australia

IMCRA

Southern Province (8)

Distribution References

General References

Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. 2010. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp. (raised to full species status)

Common Name References

Roux, J.P., Jouventin, P., Mougin, J.L., Stahl, J.C. & Weimerskirch, H. 1983. Un nouvel albatros Diomedea amsterdamensis n. sp. decouvert sur L'ile Amsterdam (37°50'S, 77°35'E). Oiseau et la Revue Française d'Ornithologie 53(1): 1-11 (Amsterdam Island Albatross)

History of changes

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Norfolk Island Province (21), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

General References

Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. 2010. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp. (raised to full species status)

History of changes

• Diomedea exulans antipodensis Robertson, C.J.R. & Warham, J. 1992. Nomenclature of the New Zealand wandering albatrosses Diomedea exulans. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 112: 74-81 [74].

  Type data:

   Holotype NMNZ 23412 Skin, Central Plateau, Antipodes Island.
  Paratype(s) NMNZ 23411 Skin, Central Plateau, Antipodes Island; BMNH 1905.12.30.404 Skin, Antipodes ISland; NMNZ 21374 Skin, Antipodes Island; NMNZ 21373 Skin, Anbtipodes Island; BMNH 1938.4.11.1 Skin, Campbell Island.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Breeds on Auckland Island, NZ, occasionally observed off SE Australia, mostly around TAS

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), West Tasmania Transition (9)

General References

Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. 2010. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp. (removed from subspecies status under exulans to subspecies of antipodensis)

History of changes

• Diomedea exulans gibsoni Robertson, C.J.R. & Warham, J. 1992. Nomenclature of the New Zealand wandering albatrosses Diomedea exulans. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 112: 74-81 [76].

  Type data:

   Holotype NMNZ 23375 Skin, Astrolabe Point, Adams Island, Auckland Group.
  Paratype(s) NMNZ 18110 Skin, Adams Island, Auckland Group; NMNZ 23374 Skin, Adams Island, Auckland Group; NMNZ 18109 Skin, Adams Island, Auckland Group.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Breeds mostly on Antipodes Island, NZ, common visitor to SE Australia extending to southern WA and southern QLD

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Norfolk Island Province (21), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Common Name References

Dickinson, E.C. (ed.) 2003. The Howard & Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. London : Christopher Helm 1039 pp. (Gibson's Albatross)

History of changes

• Diomedea dabbenena Mathews, G.M. 1929. Untitled. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 50(335): 10-11 [Date published 31 Oct 1929] [replacement name].
• Diomedea exulans alexanderi Dabbene, 1926 [junior secondary homonym of Thalassogeron chrysostoma alexanderi Mathews, 1916 in Diomedea; permanently invalid because substitute name, Diomedea dabbenena Mathews, 1929, introduced before 1961 and now in use under Article 53.9].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) MCNBA 8478 2 (Type institution from original description, not confirmed), Southern Atlantic, about 100 miles off the coast of Buenos Aires province, Argentina [38°30'S, 56°W].

Introduction

CAVS: 8047

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

South Atlantic and SW Indian Ocean, reported sightings off SW Australian coast, but difficult to verify.

IMCRA

Southern Province (8)

Common Name References

BirdLife Australia 2019. The BirdLife Australia working list of Australian birds; Version 3. BirdLife Australia. https://birdlife.org.au/documents/BWL-BirdLife_Australia_Working_List_v3.xlsx [accessed 22 Apr 2020] (Tristan Albatross)

History of changes

• Diomedaea epomophora Lesson, R.P. 1825. Distribution geographique de quelques Oiseaux marins, observes dans le Voyage autour du monde de la corvette la Coquille. Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Paris 6: 88-106 [95].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, Unknown (Unlocated), Campbell Island.

Introduction

Subspecies removed to full species by Gill et al. (2010).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Circumpolar in the Southern Ocean, breeds on NZ sub-Antarctic Islands, regularly observed over continental slope and pelagic waters off TAS, less common in other states and rarely seen from land

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Macquarie Island Province (24), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.), Macquarie Island terrestrial & freshwater

Distribution References

General References

Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. 2010. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp.

Common Name References

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 1994. The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories. Monograph 2. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union iv 112 pp. (Southern Royal Albatross)

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing 288 pp. [17] (Southern Royal Albatross)

History of changes

• Diomedea exulans Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundem classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentis, synonymis, locis. Editio decima, reformata. Holmiae : Laurentii Salvii Vol. 1 10 Edn., 824 pp. [132].

  Type data:

   Neotype AMNH 526787 ♂ adult, “intra tropicos Pelagi & ad Cap. b. Spei” = South Georgia.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Schodde, R., Tennyson, A.J.D., Groth, J.G., Lai, J., Scofield, P. & Steinheimer, F.D. 2017. Settling the name Diomedea exulans Linnaeus, 1758 for the Wandering Albatross by neotypification. Zootaxa 4236(1): 135-148 [142].
• Diomedea spadicea Gmelin, J.F. 1789. Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Linné, editio decima tertia, aucta, reformata. Regnum Animalium. Leipzig (Lipsiae) : G.E. Beer Vol. 1(2) 501-1032 pp. [publication dated 1788] [568].

  Type data:

   Lectotype NHMW 13.648 juvenile, “in maris australis latitudine 37°” = southern seas at 37°S.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Schodde, R., Tennyson, A.J.D., Groth, J.G., Lai, J., Scofield, P. & Steinheimer, F.D. 2017. Settling the name Diomedea exulans Linnaeus, 1758 for the Wandering Albatross by neotypification. Zootaxa 4236(1): 135-148 [143] (type material used by Gmelin (1789) in description of D. spadicea was from the south Atlantic and south Pacific (see Schodde et al. (2017) for details).
• Diomedea chionoptera Saunders, H. & Salvin, O. 1896. Catalogue of the Gaviæ and Tubinares in the Collection of the British Museum. Gaviæ (terns, gulls, skuas) by Howard Saunders. Tubinare (petrels and albatrosses) by Osbert Salvin. London : British Museum Vol. 25 pp. xv + 475. [443].

  Type data:

   Lectotype BMNH 1880.11.18.682 Skin (See Schodde et al. (2017) regarding identification of a holotype for D. chionoptera by Warren (1966)), Kerguelen Island.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Schodde, R., Tennyson, A.J.D., Groth, J.G., Lai, J., Scofield, P. & Steinheimer, F.D. 2017. Settling the name Diomedea exulans Linnaeus, 1758 for the Wandering Albatross by neotypification. Zootaxa 4236(1): 135-148.

  Type locality references:

  Warren, R.L.M. 1966. Type-specimens of Birds in the British Museum (Natural History). Vol. 1 Non-Passerines. London : British Museum ix 320 pp. [59].
• Diomedea exulans rothschildi Mathews, G.M. 1912. The Birds of Australia. London : Witherby & Co. Vol. 2. [246].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMNH 526720 Skin, Between Australia and New Zealand (Eastern Australian Seas).

  Type locality references:

  Greenway, J.C. Jnr 1973. Type specimens of birds in the American Museum of Natural History. Part 1. Tinamidae, Spheniscidae, Gaviidae, Podicipedidae, Diomedeidae, Procellariidae, Hydrobatidae, Pelecanoididae, Phaethontidae, Pelecanidae, Sulidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Anhingidae, Fregatidae, Ardeidae, Cochleariidae, Scopidae, Ciconiidae, Threskiornithidae, Phoenicopteridae, Anatidae, Cathartidae, Accipitridae, Falconidae, Megapodiidae, Cracidae, Tetraonidae, Phasianidae, Numididae, Meleagrididae, Turnicidae, Pedionomidae, Gruidae, Rallidae. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 150(3): 207-346 [219].
• Diomedea exulans rohui Mathews, G.M. 1915. Additions and corrections to my List of the Birds of Australia. Austral Avian Records 2: 123-133 [Date published 129] [125].

  Type data:

   Lectotype AMNH 526754 Skin, Broken Bay, New South Wales.

  Type locality references:

  Greenway, J.C. Jnr 1973. Type specimens of birds in the American Museum of Natural History. Part 1. Tinamidae, Spheniscidae, Gaviidae, Podicipedidae, Diomedeidae, Procellariidae, Hydrobatidae, Pelecanoididae, Phaethontidae, Pelecanidae, Sulidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Anhingidae, Fregatidae, Ardeidae, Cochleariidae, Scopidae, Ciconiidae, Threskiornithidae, Phoenicopteridae, Anatidae, Cathartidae, Accipitridae, Falconidae, Megapodiidae, Cracidae, Tetraonidae, Phasianidae, Numididae, Meleagrididae, Turnicidae, Pedionomidae, Gruidae, Rallidae. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 150(3): 207-346 [219].
• Diomedea exulans westralis Mathews, G.M. 1918. Descriptions of new forms of Diomedea, Acanthiza, Legeornis, Urodynamis. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 39: 23-24 [23] [previous CAVS code 0087].

  Type data:

   Holotype Unknown (Unlocated), Off Albany, Western Australia.

Introduction

Ongoing conflict in use of the name Diomedea exulans Linnaeus, 1758 for different taxa of the great albatrosses (Wandering Albatross complex) was resolved by Schodde et al. (2017) through designation of a neotype, fixing the name to the large subantarctic form often known previously as D. chionoptera Salvin, 1896. They also reviewed the application of all scientific names in the complex, designating lectotypes for D. chionoptera and D. spadicea J.F. Gmelin, 1789 and fixing those names as junior synonyms of D. exulans. We follow Schodde et al. (2017), Gill et al. (2010), and most current lists (e.g., BirdLife Australia, International Ornithological Commission) in placing Diomedea chionoptera as a junior synonym of Diomedea exulans.The form Diomedea exulans westralis Mathews, 1918 lacks type specimens (presumably lost) and although it could be treated as nomen dubium we follow Schodde et al. (2017) in including the name in the synonymy of D. exulans due to all of the traits in the description identifying it as an adult of that species.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Breeds on sub-Antarctic islands of Indian Ocean with very small breeding population on Macquarie Island, circumpolar in the Southern Ocean

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Norfolk Island Province (21), Macquarie Island Province (24), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.), Macquarie Island terrestrial & freshwater

Distribution References

General References

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing 288 pp. [84-87]

Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. 2010. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp.

Schodde, R., Tennyson, A.J.D., Groth, J.G., Lai, J., Scofield, P. & Steinheimer, F.D. 2017. Settling the name Diomedea exulans Linnaeus, 1758 for the Wandering Albatross by neotypification. Zootaxa 4236(1): 135-148

Common Name References

Anonymous 1969. An Index of Australian Bird Names. Division of WIldlife Research Technical Paper. Canberra : CSIRO Vol. No. 20 pp. 93. [5] (Cape Sheep, Man-of-War Bird, Toroa, White-winged Albatross)

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 1994. The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories. Monograph 2. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union iv 112 pp. (Wandering Albatross)

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing 288 pp. [17] (Wandering Albatross)

Dickinson, E.C. (ed.) 2003. The Howard & Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. London : Christopher Helm 1039 pp. (applied to D. chionoptera when treated as valid) (Snowy Albatross)

History of changes

• Diomedea (Rhothonia) sanfordi Murphy, R.C. 1917. A new albatross from the west coast of South America. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 37: 861-864 [861].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMNH 445380 Skin, [At sea] Off Corral, Chile.

  Type locality references:

  Greenway, J.C. Jnr 1973. Type specimens of birds in the American Museum of Natural History. Part 1. Tinamidae, Spheniscidae, Gaviidae, Podicipedidae, Diomedeidae, Procellariidae, Hydrobatidae, Pelecanoididae, Phaethontidae, Pelecanidae, Sulidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Anhingidae, Fregatidae, Ardeidae, Cochleariidae, Scopidae, Ciconiidae, Threskiornithidae, Phoenicopteridae, Anatidae, Cathartidae, Accipitridae, Falconidae, Megapodiidae, Cracidae, Tetraonidae, Phasianidae, Numididae, Meleagrididae, Turnicidae, Pedionomidae, Gruidae, Rallidae. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 150(3): 207-346 [219].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Circumpolar in Southern Ocean (mostly Pacific sector), observed over continental slope and pelagic waters off TAS but uncommon, rare elsewhere

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.), Macquarie Island terrestrial & freshwater

General References

Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. 2010. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp. (raised to full species status)

Common Name References

Tennyson, A.J.D. 2010. Order PROCELLARIIFORMES: Albatrosses, Petrels, Prions and Shearwaters. pp.64-135 in Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp. [67] (Northern Royal Albatross)

History of changes

• Phoebetria Reichenbach, L. 1852. Avium Systema Naturale. Das Natürliche System der Vögel mit hundert Tafeln grössentheils Original-Abbildungen der bis jetzt entdeckten fast zwölfhundert typischen Formen. Leipzig : F. Hofmeister viii, 1-36, i-xxxi pp.; 100 pls. [Date published 1853] [v].

  Type species:

   Diomedea fuliginosa Gmelin, 1789 (= Diomedea palpebrata J.R. Forster, 1785) by original designation.

  Secondary source:

   Jouanin, C. & Mougin, J-L. 1979. Order Procellariiformes. pp. 48-121 in Mayr, E. & Cottrell, G.W. Check-list of birds of the world. Cambridge, Massachusetts : Museum of Comparative Zoology Vol. 1 Edn 2, pp.xvii + 547. [57]; Tennyson, A.J.D. 2010. Order PROCELLARIIFORMES: Albatrosses, Petrels, Prions and Shearwaters. pp.64-135 in Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp. [77].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Macquarie Island Province (24), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.), Macquarie Island terrestrial & freshwater

History of changes

• Diomedea fusca Hilsenberg, K. 1822. Miscellen. Froriep's Notizen aus dem Gebiete der Natur- und Heilkunde 3(5): Coll. 74 [74].

  Type data:

   Holotype USNM A.02718 Skin (Type locality determined by Clancey, 1965), Mozambique Channel.

  Type locality references:

  Condon, H.T. 1975. Checklist of the Birds of Australia. Part 1 Non-Passerines. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union xx 311 pp. [16]; Condon, H.T. 1975. Checklist of the Birds of Australia. Part 1 Non-Passerines. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union xx 311 pp. [16].
• Phoebetria fusca campbelli Mathews, G.M. 1912. The Birds of Australia. London : Witherby & Co. Vol. 2. [304].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMNH 527079 Skin (Formerly BMNH 1891.5.20.875), Australian seas.

  Type locality references:

  Condon, H.T. 1975. Checklist of the Birds of Australia. Part 1 Non-Passerines. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union xx 311 pp. [16]; Greenway, J.C. 1978. Type specimens of birds in the American Museum of Natural History. Pt 2. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 161: 1-306 [9].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Circumpolar in sub-Antarctic and temperate waters mostly in western sector, breeding on sub-Antarctic islands of Indian & Atlantic Oceans, mostly observed beyond continental shelf off western VIC/SA in Australia, less commonly along southern and east coast, rarely from land.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Macquarie Island Province (24), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.), Macquarie Island terrestrial & freshwater

Distribution References

Common Name References

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 1994. The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories. Monograph 2. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union iv 112 pp. (Sooty Albatross)

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing 288 pp. [18] (Sooty Albatross)

History of changes

• Diomedea palpebrata Forster, J.R. 1785. Mémoire sur les albatros. Mémoires Mathématiques et Physiques de l'Académie des Sciences de Paris 10: 561-572, Pl. XIII-XV [571].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, Unknown (Unlocated), Southern Pacific, Antarctic waters = South Indian Ocean.
• Diomedea fuliginosa cornicoides Hutton, F.W. 1867. Notes on the birds seen during a voyage from London to New Zealand in 1866. Ibis 2 3(x): 185-193 [186] [nomen nudum].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Circumpolar in Antarctica to subtropical waters mostly in eastern sector, breeds on Macquarie and Heard Islands, mostly observed from off TAS, less common along other parts of southern coast

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Macquarie Island Province (24), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.), Macquarie Island terrestrial & freshwater

Distribution References

Common Name References

Anonymous 1969. An Index of Australian Bird Names. Division of WIldlife Research Technical Paper. Canberra : CSIRO Vol. No. 20 pp. 93. [6] (Grey-mantled Albatross, Light-mantled Albatross)

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 1994. The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories. Monograph 2. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union iv 112 pp. (Light-mantled Sooty Albatross)

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing 288 pp. [18] (Light-mantled Sooty Albatross)

Marchant, S. & Higgins, P. (coordinators) 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Melbourne : Oxford University Press Vol. 1 Pt A 735 pp. 53 pls. [346] (Grey Albatross)

History of changes

• Thalassarche Reichenbach, L. 1852. Avium Systema Naturale. Das Natürliche System der Vögel mit hundert Tafeln grössentheils Original-Abbildungen der bis jetzt entdeckten fast zwölfhundert typischen Formen. Leipzig : F. Hofmeister viii, 1-36, i-xxxi pp.; 100 pls. [Date published 1853] [v].

  Type species:

   Diomedea melanophris Temminck, 1828 by original designation.

  Secondary source:

   Condon, H.T. 1975. Checklist of the Birds of Australia. Part 1 Non-Passerines. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union xx 311 pp. [13]; Jouanin, C. & Mougin, J-L. 1979. Order Procellariiformes. pp. 48-121 in Mayr, E. & Cottrell, G.W. Check-list of birds of the world. Cambridge, Massachusetts : Museum of Comparative Zoology Vol. 1 Edn 2, pp.xvii + 547. [49]; Tennyson, A.J.D. 2010. Order PROCELLARIIFORMES: Albatrosses, Petrels, Prions and Shearwaters. pp.64-135 in Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp. [69].
• Thalassogeron Ridgway, R. 1884. The Water Birds of North America [by S. F. Baird; T. M. Brewer; R. Ridgway]. Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University 13: vi + 552 [345, 357].

  Type species:

   Diomedea culminata Gould, 1843 (= Thalassarche chrysostoma J.R. Forster, 1785) by original designation, see Sharpe, R.B. 1899. A Hand-list of the Genera and Species of Birds. [Nomenclator avium tum fossilium tum viventium]. London : British Museum Vol. 4 pp. xxi + 303. [129].

  Secondary source:

   Condon, H.T. 1975. Checklist of the Birds of Australia. Part 1 Non-Passerines. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union xx 311 pp. [13]; Tennyson, A.J.D. 2010. Order PROCELLARIIFORMES: Albatrosses, Petrels, Prions and Shearwaters. pp.64-135 in Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp. [69].
• Nealbatrus Mathews, G.M. 1912. The Birds of Australia. London : Witherby & Co. Vol. 2. [274].

  Type species:

   Diomedea chlororhynchos Gmelin, 1789 by original designation.

  Secondary source:

   Condon, H.T. 1975. Checklist of the Birds of Australia. Part 1 Non-Passerines. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union xx 311 pp. [13]; Tennyson, A.J.D. 2010. Order PROCELLARIIFORMES: Albatrosses, Petrels, Prions and Shearwaters. pp.64-135 in Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp. [69].
• Diomedella Mathews, G.M. 1912. The Birds of Australia. London : Witherby & Co. Vol. 2. [275].

  Type species:

   Diomedea cauta Gould, 1841 by original designation.

  Secondary source:

   Mathews, G.M. 1927. Systema Avium Australasianarum. A systematic list of the birds of the Australasian region. London : British Ornithologists' Union Pt 1 iv 426 pp. [132]; Tennyson, A.J.D. 2010. Order PROCELLARIIFORMES: Albatrosses, Petrels, Prions and Shearwaters. pp.64-135 in Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp. [69].

Introduction

Variously treated as valid or as a junior synonym of Diomedea, most recently re-established by Nunn et al. (1996) for the small albatrosses (mollymawks) in the southern hemisphere and this has been widely accepted.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Northeast Province (18), Norfolk Island Province (21), Macquarie Island Province (24), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory, Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.), Lord Howe Island terrestrial & freshwater, Macquarie Island terrestrial & freshwater, Norfolk Island terrestrial & freshwater

General References

Nunn, G.B., Cooper, J., Jouventin, P., Robertson, C.J.R. & Robertson, G.G. 1996. Evolutionary relationships among extant albatrosses (Procellariiformes: Diomedeidae) established from complete cytochrome-b gene sequences. Auk 113: 784-801

History of changes

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Northeast Province (18), Macquarie Island Province (24), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Macquarie Island terrestrial & freshwater

Distribution References

Common Name References

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 1994. The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories. Monograph 2. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union iv 112 pp. (Buller's Albatross)

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing 288 pp. [18] (Buller's Albatross)

History of changes

• Diomedea bulleri Rothschild, L.W. 1893. [Untitled] Mr Rothschild also exhibited and described the following species. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 1: 56-59 [58].

  Type data:

   Holotype 526937 Skin, New Zealand.

  Type locality references:

  Greenway, J.C. Jnr 1973. Type specimens of birds in the American Museum of Natural History. Part 1. Tinamidae, Spheniscidae, Gaviidae, Podicipedidae, Diomedeidae, Procellariidae, Hydrobatidae, Pelecanoididae, Phaethontidae, Pelecanidae, Sulidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Anhingidae, Fregatidae, Ardeidae, Cochleariidae, Scopidae, Ciconiidae, Threskiornithidae, Phoenicopteridae, Anatidae, Cathartidae, Accipitridae, Falconidae, Megapodiidae, Cracidae, Tetraonidae, Phasianidae, Numididae, Meleagrididae, Turnicidae, Pedionomidae, Gruidae, Rallidae. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 150(3): 207-346 [219].

Generic Combinations

• Thalassarche bulleri (Rothschild, 1893). —
  Mathews, G.M. & Iredale, T. 1913. A Reference List of the Birds of New Zealand. Part 1. Ibis 10 1(2): 201-263 [240]
• Thalassarche bulleri bulleri (Rothschild, 1893). —
  Brooke, M. de L. 2004. Albatrosses and Petrels across the World. Oxford : Oxford University Press. [211]

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Diomedea chlororhyncha Buller, 1888 [not Diomedea chlororhynchos Gmelin, 1789]. —
  Buller, W.L. 1888. A history of the birds of New Zealand. London : Buller, W.L. Vol. 2 pp. [202]

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Breeds on the Snares Islands [Tini Heke] and the Solander Island [Hautere], NZ, commonly found off SE Australia, south to Macquarie Island; southern Pacific (New Zealand, Chile, Peru)

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Macquarie Island Province (24), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Macquarie Island terrestrial & freshwater

Distribution References

Common Name References

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing 288 pp. [18] (Bullers Albatross)

History of changes

• Diomedea platei Reichenow, A. 1898. News: Annual meeting of the German Ornithological Society. Ornithologische Monatsberichte [Berlin, Verlag von R. Friedländer & Sohn] 6: 188-192 [190].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNB, near Cavancha, Chile.

Generic Combinations

• Thalassarche bulleri platei (Brooke, 2004). —
  Brooke, M. de L. 2004. Albatrosses and Petrels across the World. Oxford : Oxford University Press. [211]

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Thalassarche sp. nov. —
  Robertson, C.J.R. & Nunn, G.B. 1998. Towards a new taxonomy for albatrosses. pp. 13-19 in G. Robertson and R. Gales. Albatross Biology and Conservation. Chipping Norton : Surrey Beatty pp. 312. [17] (treat T. b. platei as new species with D. platei Reichenow, 1898 a junior synonym of T. bulleri)
• Thalassarche bulleri ssp. nov. [not platei]. —
  Onley, D. & Scofield, P. 2007. Albatrosses, Petrels and Shearwaters of the World. London : Christopher Helm pp. 240. [140] (treat T. b. platei as new subspecies)

Introduction

The holotype specimen of Diomedea platei Reichenow, 1898 has been long considered a juvenile of Diomedea bulleri Rothschild, 1893 (e.g. Murphy, 1930, Christidis & Boles 2008). Although the name has been widely applied to a form of Thalassarche bulleri recognised by a range of authors as a separate species or subspecies (Robertson & Nunn 1998, Brooke 2004, Gill et al. 2010, Wold 2017, 2018), the name Diomedea platei Reichenow, 1898 is unavailable. We include the taxon here as T. b. platei however the species complex is in immediate need of revision and a new name is required.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Distribution here is indicative. Breeds mainly in The Chatham Islands, NZ, ranging to north of the North Island, into the sub Antarctic and seas off western South America. Distribution in Australia is difficult to ascertain due to confusion with identity of holotype and with T. b. bulleri.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Northeast Province (18), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), West Tasmania Transition (9)

General References

Brooke, M. de L. 2004. Albatrosses and Petrels across the World. Oxford : Oxford University Press.

Chambers GK, Moeke C, Steel R & Trueman JWH 2009. Phylogenetic analysis of the 24 named albatross taxa based on full mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA sequences. Notornis 56: 82-94

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing 288 pp. [85]

Murphy, R.C. 1930. Birds collected during the Whitney South Sea Expedition. 11. American Museum Novitates 419. pp 1-15 [6]

Robertson, C.J.R. & Nunn, G.B. 1998. Towards a new taxonomy for albatrosses. pp. 13-19 in G. Robertson and R. Gales. Albatross Biology and Conservation. Chipping Norton : Surrey Beatty pp. 312. [17]

Wold, J.R., Robertson, C.J.R., Chambers, G.K. & Ritchie, P.A. 2018. Phylogeographic structure and a genetic assignment method for Buller’s albatross ssp. (Thalassarche bulleri ssp.). Notornis 65(3): 152-163

History of changes

• Thalassogeron carteri Rothschild, L.W. 1903. Untitled. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 14: 6 [6] [original spelling].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMNH 527048 Skin, Point Cloates, Western Australia [22°43'S, 113°40'E].

  Type locality references:

  Hartert, E. 1926. Types of birds in the Tring Museum. Novitates Zoologicae 33: 344-357 [345]; Greenway, J.C. Jnr 1973. Type specimens of birds in the American Museum of Natural History. Part 1. Tinamidae, Spheniscidae, Gaviidae, Podicipedidae, Diomedeidae, Procellariidae, Hydrobatidae, Pelecanoididae, Phaethontidae, Pelecanidae, Sulidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Anhingidae, Fregatidae, Ardeidae, Cochleariidae, Scopidae, Ciconiidae, Threskiornithidae, Phoenicopteridae, Anatidae, Cathartidae, Accipitridae, Falconidae, Megapodiidae, Cracidae, Tetraonidae, Phasianidae, Numididae, Meleagrididae, Turnicidae, Pedionomidae, Gruidae, Rallidae. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 150(3): 207-346 [220].
• Diomedea bassi Mathews, G.M. 1912. A Reference-List to the Birds of Australia. Novitates Zoologicae 18: 171-455 [Date published 31 Jan 1912] [206].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMNH 527047 Skin, Southeast Australian Seas, New South Wales.

  Type locality references:

  Greenway, J.C. Jnr 1973. Type specimens of birds in the American Museum of Natural History. Part 1. Tinamidae, Spheniscidae, Gaviidae, Podicipedidae, Diomedeidae, Procellariidae, Hydrobatidae, Pelecanoididae, Phaethontidae, Pelecanidae, Sulidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Anhingidae, Fregatidae, Ardeidae, Cochleariidae, Scopidae, Ciconiidae, Threskiornithidae, Phoenicopteridae, Anatidae, Cathartidae, Accipitridae, Falconidae, Megapodiidae, Cracidae, Tetraonidae, Phasianidae, Numididae, Meleagrididae, Turnicidae, Pedionomidae, Gruidae, Rallidae. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 150(3): 207-346 [220]; Condon, H.T. 1975. Checklist of the Birds of Australia. Part 1 Non-Passerines. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union xx 311 pp. [15].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Robertson, C.J.R. 2002. The scientific name of the Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche carteri. Marine Ornithology 30: 48-49

Generic Combinations

• Diomedea chlororhynchos carteri (Rothschild, 1903) [subspecies of D. chlororhynchos Gmelin, 1789]. —
  Checklist Committee, Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Inc. (E.G. Turbott, Convener) 1990. Checklist of the Birds of New Zealand and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Auckland : Random Century xv 247 pp. [19]
• Thalassarche carteri (Rothschild, 1903). —
  G. Robertson and R. Gales 1998. Albatross Biology and Conservation. Chipping Norton : Surrey Beatty pp. 312. [19]

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Thalassarche chlororhynchos Gmelin, 1789 [a misidentification].

Introduction

Previously treated as a subspecies of D. chlororhynchos Gmelin, 1789 however Brooke et al. (1980), Robertson (2002), and Onley & Schofield (2007) provided strong evidence for treatment at the specific level which is now widely accepted. Records of Thalassarche chlororhynchos Gmelin, 1789 from Australia are probably based on this species.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.)

General References

Brooke, R.K., Sinclair, J.C. & Berruti, A. 1980. Geographical variation in Diomedea chlororhynchos (Aves: Diomedeidae). Durban Museum Novitates 12: 171-180

Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. 2010. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp. (raised to full species status)

Onley, D. & Scofield, P. 2007. Albatrosses, Petrels and Shearwaters of the World. London : Christopher Helm pp. 240.

Robertson, C.J.R. 2002. The scientific name of the Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche carteri. Marine Ornithology 30: 48-49

History of changes

• Diomedea cauta Gould, J. 1841. In Proceedings of meeting of Zoological Society of London, Dec. 8, 1840. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1840: 168-178 [Date published Jul 1841: publication dated 1840] [177].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) BMNH 1841.6.1288 Skin, Bass Strait, Australia; ANSP 4518 (VN 1638) Skin, Bass Strait, Australia; RMNH 87009 Skin, Bass Strait, Australia.

  Type locality references:

  Warren, R.L.M. 1966. Type-specimens of Birds in the British Museum (Natural History). Vol. 1 Non-Passerines. London : British Museum ix 320 pp. [54]; Van den Hoek Ostende, L.W., Dekker, R.W.R.J. & Keijl, G.O. 1997. Type-specimens of birds in the National Museum of Natural History, Leiden. NNM Technical Bulletin 1(1): 1-248 [Non-Passerines.] [10]; Ingersoll, A.W. & Fisher, C.T. 2006. Type specimens of birds in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Draft. pp. 1-355 [7].
• Diomedella cauta rohui Mathews, G.M. 1916. List of additions of new sub-species to, and changes in, my "List of the Birds of Australia". Austral Avian Records 3(3): 53-68 [Date published 4 Apr 1916] [55].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMNH 526999 Skin, Sydney, New South Wales [33°52'S, 151°12'E].

  Type locality references:

  Greenway, J.C. Jnr 1973. Type specimens of birds in the American Museum of Natural History. Part 1. Tinamidae, Spheniscidae, Gaviidae, Podicipedidae, Diomedeidae, Procellariidae, Hydrobatidae, Pelecanoididae, Phaethontidae, Pelecanidae, Sulidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Anhingidae, Fregatidae, Ardeidae, Cochleariidae, Scopidae, Ciconiidae, Threskiornithidae, Phoenicopteridae, Anatidae, Cathartidae, Accipitridae, Falconidae, Megapodiidae, Cracidae, Tetraonidae, Phasianidae, Numididae, Meleagrididae, Turnicidae, Pedionomidae, Gruidae, Rallidae. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 150(3): 207-346 [219].
• Diomedella cauta wallaca Mathews, G.M. 1918. Additions and corrections to my 1913 list. Austral Avian Records 3: 159-160 [160] (New name for D. c. rohui>).

  Type data:

   Holotype AMNH 526999 Skin, Sydney, New South Wales [33°52'S, 151°12'E].

Introduction

Thalassarche cauta and T. steadi are considered to be separate species by most sources. However, it is worth noting that they are extremely difficult to distinguish using morphological characters (T. steadi is slightly larger and has a paler face (Penhallurick 2013)) as both species show substantial overlap in morphometrics, with no single feature significantly different between taxa (Double et al. 2003). The two species can be differentiated by molecular data, where cytochrome b sequences (Chambers et al. 2009) and SNPs (Jimenez et al. 2015) have been used to distinguish the two species.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Breeds on islands off TAS, common along southern coasts over inshore and offshore waters, frequently observed from land.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Macquarie Island Province (24), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory, Macquarie Island terrestrial & freshwater

Distribution References

General References

Chambers GK, Moeke C, Steel R & Trueman JWH 2009. Phylogenetic analysis of the 24 named albatross taxa based on full mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA sequences. Notornis 56: 82-94

Double MC, Gales R, Reid T, Brothers N & Abbott CL 2003. Morphometric comparison on Australian shy and New Zealand white-capped albatrosses. Emu 103: 287-294

Jimenez S, Marquez A, Abreu M, Forselledo R, Pereira A & Domingo A. 2015. Molecular anlaysis suggests the occurrence of shy albatross in the south-western Atlantic Ocean and its by-catch in longline fishing. Emu 115: 58-62

Penhallurick, J 2012. The number of albatross (Diomedeidae) species. The Open Ornithology Journal 5: 32-41

Common Name References

Anonymous 1969. An Index of Australian Bird Names. Division of WIldlife Research Technical Paper. Canberra : CSIRO Vol. No. 20 pp. 93. [6] (Shy Mollymawk, White-capped Albatross, White-capped Molymawk)

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 1994. The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories. Monograph 2. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union iv 112 pp. (Shy Albatross)

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing 288 pp. [18] (Shy Albatross)

History of changes

• Diomedea chrysostoma Forster, J.R. 1785. Mémoire sur les albatros. Mémoires Mathématiques et Physiques de l'Académie des Sciences de Paris 10: 561-572, Pl. XIII-XV [571, pl. 14].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, Unknown (Unlocated), Southern Pacific, Antarctic waters = South Georgia.

  Type locality references:

  Murphy, R.C. 1936. Oceanic birds of South America. New York : American Museum of Natural History pp.xxii+1245. [514]; Mathews, G.M. & Hallstrom, E.J.L. 1943. Notes on the order Procellariformes. Canberra : Verity Hewitt Bookshop pp. 62. [10].
• Thalassogeron chrysostoma alexanderi Mathews, G.M. 1916. List of additions of new sub-species to, and changes in, my "List of the Birds of Australia". Austral Avian Records 3(3): 53-68 [Date published 4 Apr 1916] [55].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMNH 527061 Skin (Formerly Western Australian Museum specimen [no registration number]), Mandurah, Western Australia [32°32'S, 115°43'E].

  Type locality references:

  Greenway, J.C. 1978. Type specimens of birds in the American Museum of Natural History. Pt 2. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 161: 1-306 [8].
• Diomedea culminata Gould, J. 1843. [Untitled] Mr. Prince exhibited to the meeting, on the part of Mr. Gould, nine new birds, collected during the recent voyage of H.M.S. Sulphur…. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London (11): 103-108 [107].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) ANSP 4515 (VN 1640) Skin, Australian seas; ANSP 4516 (VN 1651) Skin, Australian seas.

  Type locality references:

  Ingersoll, A.W. & Fisher, C.T. 2006. Type specimens of birds in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Draft. pp. 1-355 [8].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Circumpolar mostly in sub-Antarctic over deep pelagic waters, occasionally over shelf waters and rarely seen from land, breeds on Macquarie Island and other sub-Antarctic islands

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Macquarie Island Province (24), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory, Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.), Macquarie Island terrestrial & freshwater

Distribution References

Common Name References

Anonymous 1969. An Index of Australian Bird Names. Division of WIldlife Research Technical Paper. Canberra : CSIRO Vol. No. 20 pp. 93. [6] (Flat-billed Albatross, Flat-billed Mollymawk, Gould Albatross, Gould's Yellow-nosed Mollymawk, Grey-headed Mollymawk, Grey-mantled Albatross, Yellow-nosed Albatross, Yellow-nosed Mollymawk)

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 1994. The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories. Monograph 2. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union iv 112 pp. (Grey-headed Albatross)

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing 288 pp. [18] (Grey-headed Albatross)

History of changes

• Thalassarche melanophris impavida Mathews, G.M. 1912. The Birds of Australia. London : Witherby & Co. Vol. 2. [267].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMNH 526922 Skin, Tasmania.

  Type locality references:

  Greenway, J.C. Jnr 1973. Type specimens of birds in the American Museum of Natural History. Part 1. Tinamidae, Spheniscidae, Gaviidae, Podicipedidae, Diomedeidae, Procellariidae, Hydrobatidae, Pelecanoididae, Phaethontidae, Pelecanidae, Sulidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Anhingidae, Fregatidae, Ardeidae, Cochleariidae, Scopidae, Ciconiidae, Threskiornithidae, Phoenicopteridae, Anatidae, Cathartidae, Accipitridae, Falconidae, Megapodiidae, Cracidae, Tetraonidae, Phasianidae, Numididae, Meleagrididae, Turnicidae, Pedionomidae, Gruidae, Rallidae. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 150(3): 207-346 [219].

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Thalassarche impavida Mathews, 1912 [accorded full species status by some authors, but see Christidis & Boles (2008: 85) for discussion].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Ranges through Southern Ocean in Pacific sector, rare in Indian Ocean, breeds on Campbell Island, NZ, frequently present over southern Australian waters

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Macquarie Island Province (24), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

General References

Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. 2010. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp. (raised to full species status)

History of changes

• Diomedea melanophris Temminck, C.J. 1838. Nouveau Recueil de Planches Coloriées d'Oiseaux, pour servir de suite et de complément aux planches enluminées de Buffon. Paris : F.G. Levrault Vol. 5. [Pl. 456 and text].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) RMNH 87010 Mounted skin, Pacific Ocean; RMNH 87011 Mounted skin, St Paul, Pacific Ocean; RMNH 87012 Mounted skin, St Paul, Pacific Ocean; RMNH 87013 Mounted skin, St Paul, Pacific Ocean; RMNH 87014 Skeleton (Cranium only), Cap (- Cape of Good Hope, South Africa).; RMNH 88756 Skeleton, Cap (= Cape of Good Hope, South Africa)
  Comment: A second skull unlocated.

  Type locality references:

  Van den Hoek Ostende, L.W., Dekker, R.W.R.J. & Keijl, G.O. 1997. Type-specimens of birds in the National Museum of Natural History, Leiden. NNM Technical Bulletin 1(1): 1-248 [Non-Passerines.] [9].
• Diomedea melanophrys Temminck, 1839 [emendation of name Temminck, 1829, Tabl. Math. 102: 103 [document unsighted]].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Circumpolar in Southern Ocean, breeds on Antarctic/sub-Antarctic islands, most abundant in offshore waters but commonly seen from land

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Norfolk Island Province (21), Macquarie Island Province (24), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Australian Antarctic Territory, Heard & McDonald Islands (Aust. Terr.), Lord Howe Island terrestrial & freshwater, Macquarie Island terrestrial & freshwater, Norfolk Island terrestrial & freshwater

Distribution References

General References

ICZN 2010. Diomedea malanophris Temminck, 1828 (currently Thalassarche melanophris; Aves, Procellariformes): original spelling of specific name conserved. Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 67(3): 194-195

Common Name References

Anonymous 1969. An Index of Australian Bird Names. Division of WIldlife Research Technical Paper. Canberra : CSIRO Vol. No. 20 pp. 93. [6] (Black-browed Mollymawk, Mollyhawk, Mollymawk)

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 1994. The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories. Monograph 2. Melbourne : Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union iv 112 pp. (Black-browed Albatross)

Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing 288 pp. [18] (Black-browed Albatross)

History of changes

• Thalassogeron salvini Rothschild, L.W. 1893. [Untitled] Mr Rothschild also exhibited and described the following species. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 1: 56-59 [58].

  Type data:

   Lectotype AMNH 527004 Skin (Determination of type status follows Hartert, 1926, p. 346), New Zealand.

  Type locality references:

  Greenway, J.C. Jnr 1973. Type specimens of birds in the American Museum of Natural History. Part 1. Tinamidae, Spheniscidae, Gaviidae, Podicipedidae, Diomedeidae, Procellariidae, Hydrobatidae, Pelecanoididae, Phaethontidae, Pelecanidae, Sulidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Anhingidae, Fregatidae, Ardeidae, Cochleariidae, Scopidae, Ciconiidae, Threskiornithidae, Phoenicopteridae, Anatidae, Cathartidae, Accipitridae, Falconidae, Megapodiidae, Cracidae, Tetraonidae, Phasianidae, Numididae, Meleagrididae, Turnicidae, Pedionomidae, Gruidae, Rallidae. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 150(3): 207-346 [219].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Sub-Antarctic sector of Pacific Ocean, uncommon visitor to SE Australia, rare in NSW and occasionally west of SA

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Macquarie Island Province (24), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Southern Province (8), West Tasmania Transition (9)

Other Regions

Macquarie Island terrestrial & freshwater

General References

Gill, B.G., Bell, B.D., Chambers, G.K., Medway, D.G., Palma, R.L., Scofield, R.P., Tennyson, A.J.D. & Worthy, T.H. 2010. Checklist of the birds of New Zealand, Norfolk and Macquarie Islands, and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Wellington : Te Papa Press 4th Edn, 500 pp. (raised to full species level)

Common Name References

Dickinson, E.C. (ed.) 2003. The Howard & Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. London : Christopher Helm 1039 pp. (Salvin's Albatross)

History of changes

• Thalassarche cauta steadi Falla, R.A. 1933. Notes on New Zealand Petrels, with descriptions of new forms and some new records. Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum 1(4): 173-180 [179].

  Type data:

   Holotype AMNZ LB.3231 (AV 153.3) Skin (Paratype (female) not located), Foveaux Strait, New Zealand.

  Type locality references:

  Gill, B.J. 1983. Type specimens of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals in the Auckland Institute and Museum. Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum 20: 203–215 [208].

Introduction

Thalassarche cauta and T. steadi are considered to be separate species by most sources. However, it is worth noting that they are extremely difficult to distinguish using morphological characters (T. steadi is slightly larger and has a paler face (Penhallurick 2013)) as both species show substantial overlap in morphometrics, with no single feature significantly different between taxa (Double et al. 2003). The two species can be differentiated by molecular data, where cytochrome b sequences (Chambers et al. 2009) and SNPs (Jimenez et al. 2015) have been used to distinguish the two species.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Breeds on Auckland Island group, NZ, mostly ranging east to South America but some reaching SE Australia

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), West Tasmania Transition (9)

General References

Chambers GK, Moeke C, Steel R & Trueman JWH 2009. Phylogenetic analysis of the 24 named albatross taxa based on full mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA sequences. Notornis 56: 82-94

Clayton, M., Wombey, J.C., Mason, I.J., Chesser, R.T. & Wells, A. 2006. CSIRO List of Australian Vertebrates: A Reference with Conservation Status. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing iv 162 pp.

Double MC, Gales R, Reid T, Brothers N & Abbott CL 2003. Morphometric comparison on Australian shy and New Zealand white-capped albatrosses. Emu 103: 287-294

Jimenez S, Marquez A, Abreu M, Forselledo R, Pereira A & Domingo A. 2015. Molecular anlaysis suggests the occurrence of shy albatross in the south-western Atlantic Ocean and its by-catch in longline fishing. Emu 115: 58-62

Penhallurick, J 2012. The number of albatross (Diomedeidae) species. The Open Ornithology Journal 5: 32-41

Common Name References

Dickinson, E.C. (ed.) 2003. The Howard & Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. London : Christopher Helm 1039 pp. (White-capped Albatross)

History of changes