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title: "Studying moult of Shy and White-capped Albatrosses from longline bycatch"
---

# Studying moult of Shy and White-capped Albatrosses from longline bycatch

Robert Flood and Peter Ryan ([FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology](http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/), University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa) have published online in the open-access journal M[arine Ornithology](http://www.marineornithology.org) on primary wing moult of Shy *Thalassarche cauta* and White-capped *T. steadi*Albatrosses.

 The paper’s abstract follows:

 “A provisional schedule is given for the age-related timing of primary moult in White-capped Albatross *Thalassarche [c.] steadi* based on an analysis of primary moult in 575 Shy Albatross *T. [c.] cauta/steadi* caught as bycatch on longlines off South Africa (mostly White-capped Albatross). Our analysis draws upon basic principles for age-related moult timing established in studies of other mollymawks. The principles involve combined assessment of an alternate-year primary moult schedule, maturation of plumage aspect, and maturation of bill colour and pattern. There is good evidence that adult/definitive prebasic moult of White-capped Albatross occurs mainly in August-October, which is between breeding seasons, and continues into the austral summer. After a successful breeding attempt, most White-capped Albatrosses skip the following breeding season and may be less constrained in the timing of moult relative to breeding. The third and fourth prebasic moults occur December-June, considerably earlier than the definitive prebasic moult; the fifth prebasic moult appears to occur April-September, closer in timing to the definitive prebasic moult. Observations from 10 Shy Albatross*T. [c.] cauta* provide some evidence that they moult slightly earlier than White-capped Albatross, which is consistent with their earlier breeding period.”

  ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Shy/Shy-Albatross-adult-off-Amsterdam-Island-Kirk-Zufelt.jpg)

 Shy Albatross off Amsterdam Island, photograph by Kirk Zufelt

  

 **Reference:**

 Flood, R.L. & Ryan, P.G. 2018. Age-related timing of primary moult in Shy Albatross *Thalassarche [c.] cauta/steadi* longline casualties from South Africa. [*Marine Ornithology* 46: 197-202](http://www.marineornithology.org/content/get.cgi?rn=1275).

 *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 01 November 2018*