Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Diomedea antipodensis
Gazetted date:
05 Oct 2001
Profile last updated:
13 Nov 2024
Description
A large Albatross species, with breeding confined to New Zealand. Juveniles are very similar in appearance to juvenile Wandering Albatross. Breeding females have chocolate-brown upperparts with white 'waves' on their back, a white face mask and throat,a broad brown breast-band with a white lower breast and belly with brown undertail-coverts, and a white underwing with a dark tip. Breeding males are whiter than the females but never as white as the whitest Wandering Albatross. Both sexes have a pink bill.
Distribution
The species ranges across the southern Pacific Ocean, east to the coast of Chile and west to eastern Australia.
Habitat and ecology
- The majority of birds breed on Antipodes Island, with a small number of pairs breeding on Campbell Island.
- The Antipodean Albatross breeds biennially in colonies on ridges, slopes and plateaus of isolated subantarctic islands, usually in vegetation such as grass tussocks.
- Egg laying begins in January (Antipodes Island) and February (Campbell Island), and chicks usually fledge the following year in January and March.
- The annual breeding population is relatively small and has been estimated at 5,154 pairs.
- This species regularly occurs in small numbers off the NSW south coast from Green Cape to Newcastle during winter where they feed on cuttlefish.
- Although representing a small proportion on its total foraging area, potential forage in NSW waters is nonetheless considered significant for the species.
- Forage for the Antipodean Albatross is extremely patchy, both spatially and temporally, and individuals traverse great distances in search of food.
- This species feeds pelagically on squid, fish and crustaceans.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Longline fishing operations; the species was confirmed as bycatch during a study of tuna long-line fishing in New Zealand' waters between 1988 and 1992.
- Birds may also suffer from collision with cables and warps used on fishing trawlers or shooting to protect baits.
- The species' small breeding population and the low reproductive potential of individuals exacerbates the threat of longline fishing.
- Loss of the southern cuttlefish populations.
- Oil spills.
- Pigs may be responsible for the near loss of the species on Auckland Island, and probably still take eggs and chicks, while feral cats may also kill some chicks.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Implement predator control programs.
- Preservation of areas where this species is known to breed and forage.
- Support the replacement of longline fishing by other techniques.
- Encourage the use of fishing techniques that reduce the catch of seabirds, including the setting of lines for fishing operations at night and weighting of lines to ensure that they sink quickly.
- Implement practices to minimise the risk of oil spills.
Information sources
- NSW Scientific Committee (2001) Antipodean albatross - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
|
IBRA Bioregion
|
IBRA Subregion
|
Known or predicted
|
Geographic restrictions region
|
|---|
| Ocean | Batemans Shelf |
Predicted
| None |
| Ocean | Hawkesbury Shelf |
Known
| None |
| Ocean | Manning Shelf |
Predicted
| None |
| Ocean | South Pacific Ocean |
Known
| None |
| Ocean | Tweed-Moreton |
Predicted
| None |
| Ocean | Twofold Shelf |
Predicted
| None |
| Ocean - Other State | Northern Australian Coastal Waters |
Known
| None |