Diomedea melanophris

Status: Very Rare (< 5 records)

Origins: This species is circumpolar across the southern oceans, breeding on three islands in the south Atlantic. While still very rare, it is the most common albatross species to be found in the North Atlantic due to northerly migration tendencies.

Record Details: One photographically confirmed record for Newfoundland (June 2009, ~75 nm off of Catalina, Bonavista Peninsula) and three for Labrador (summer 2005; August 5 2009 ~100nm off of Hopedale; Sept 8 2021). Another very likely individual was described by an experienced fisherman off Cape St. Mary’s on August 29, 2015.

There have been numerous reports of “albatross” over the years, mainly from fishermen, and some have been compelling. (While this is the only albatross species currently accepted for the province, a specimen described as a Yellow-nosed Albatross was apparently destroyed by fire c. 1928.)

* NOTE – This website is not an official account and “may” contain incorrect information and/or details of unconfirmed records. *