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.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Diomedea gibsoni
Gazetted date:
05 Oct 2001
Profile last updated:
13 Nov 2024
Description
A large Albatross species, with breeding confined to New Zealand. Similar plumage to the Wandering Albatross although it is rare for Gibson's Albatross to get as white. Gibson's Albatross is also smaller than the Wandering Albatross, with males reaching up to 7.5kg and females reaching up to 5.5kg. Females are also browner than males. Bill length ranges from 138-162mm. Plumage varies widely, with the amount of white dependent upon the sex, age and population characteristics at its breeding site island. Males are white above and below, including crown. They have white upperparts; breast has varying densities of fine black wavy lines. Tail white, sometimes tipped black. Outer wing and trailing edge black. Underwing white, extreme tips always black. Legs and webbed feet are a pale flesh colour, while the bill is pink, tipped yellow. Females are similar to males however have brown speckles or striations on the crown.
Distribution
Essentially endemic to the Auckland Islands of New Zealand. The non-breeding range is poorly known however the species probably disperses across the southern Pacific. The species is regularly encountered on trans-Tasman shipping routes and at seas off Sydney, and regularly occurs off the NSW coast usually between Green Cape and Newcastle.
Habitat and ecology
- This species is known only to breed on the Adams, Disappointment and Auckland Islands in the subantarctic Auckland Island group.
- Breeds bienially in colonies among grass tussocks on isolated subantarctis islands, using the wind to travel great distances both during and between breeding seasons.
- Most eggs are laid in December and January, with chicks fledging the following year in January and February.
- The annual breeding population is relatively small and has been estimated at 6,077 pairs.
- This species regularly occurs off the NSW coast from Green Cape to Newcastle.
- Although representing a small proportion on its total foraging area, potential forage in NSW waters during the winter is nonetheless considered significant for the species.
- Forage for Gibson's 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.
- Satellite tracking studies have shown that foraging areas used by males and females are mutually exclusive; females frequent the Tasman Sea, whereas males disperse to lower latitudes or move north-east into the mid-Pacific Ocean.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Mortality via longline fishing is the principal threat to this species; a study conducted between 1988 and 1992 showed Gibson's Albatross was a significant bycatch species in the tuna longline fishery operating off New Zealand.
- Birds may suffer from collision with cables and warps used on fishing trawlers.
- Individuals are also known to be killed on tuna longline hooks in Australian waters.
- The species' small breeding population and the low reproductive potential of individuals exacerbates the threat of longline fishing.
- The dependence of Gibson's Albatross on three islands for breeding increases their vulnerability to local extinction via stochastic events.
- Loss of the southern cuttlefish populations.
- Oil spills.
- The breeding success of the species is potentially limited by cats and pigs introduced onto the largest of the breeding islands.
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) Gibson's albatross - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
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IBRA Bioregion
|
IBRA Subregion
|
Known or predicted
|
Geographic restrictions region
|
|---|
| Ocean | Batemans Shelf |
Known
| 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 |
Known
| None |
| Other State | QLD |
Known
| None |