The light-mantled albatross was first described as Phoebetria palpebrata by Johann Reinhold Forster, in 1785, based on a specimen from south of the Cape of Good Hope.

They also have a salt gland above the nasal passage which excretes a concentrated saline solution to maintain osmotic balance, due to the amount of seawater imbibed.

This can be sprayed out of their mouths as a defence against predators as well as an energy rich food source for chicks and for the adults during their long flights.

It ranges in latitude from the pack-ice around Antarctica, with the southernmost record from 78°S in the Ross Sea, to about 35°S, with occasional sightings further north along the Humboldt Current.

They will also use mutual calling with deviations in tone brought occurring by head positioning, and finally, they use their tail in displays more than other albatrosses.

[4][11] Pairs form committed pair-bonds which may last for decades, being renewed through complex courtship displays at the breeding site.

[12] The principal diet of light-mantled albatrosses consists of squid and krill,[4] though other crustaceans and fish[9][10] are taken as well as seal, penguin and petrel carrion.

[9] Threats and population status are poorly quantified and the species is classified as near threatened,[1][12] with an occurrence range of 44,300,000 km2 (17,100,000 sq mi).