"The “albatross with light eyebrows” taken during Cook’s first voyage in the South Indian Ocean, was an example of this species, and formed the basis of Forster’s description of Diomedea palpebrata published in 1785." The closely related sooty albatross lacks the pale mantle.
Arguably the most beautiful albatross, the light–mantled sooty in New Zealand waters breeds on the Antidopes, Auckland and Campbell Islands. The largest breeding colonies are to be found on South Georgia, the Kerguelen and Auckland Islands.
According to Oliver, this species is perhaps the most perfect glider of all sea birds, it seldom being seen to flap its wings. In flight, the wings are kept straight out from the body without the appearance of being slightly flexed as in the wandering albatross. It frequents the oceans far from land, only coming ashore to near inaccessible cliffs to breed.
"Unlike the true albatrosses and mollymawks, the light-mantled sooty does not breed in large colonies but nests singly on the ledges and slopes of sea cliffs, usually with a cliff above and below so as to be quite inaccessible. Any site will suit so long as it has steeply falling ground below to give room for take off. The birds take off by propelling themselves outward; no run is taken, unlike the true albatrosses. The birds return to their breeding localities during the first week of October. The young leave the nest during the 20th week, that is the third week in May."
The light-mantled sooty is suffering heavily from long line fishing. They are seen to follow ships regularly. They feed mainly on squid.
