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: Thalassarche salvini
Profile last updated:
21 Jul 2026
Description
Salvin's Albatross was formerly regarded as a subspecies of the Shy Albatross with this species complex readily identified from other Southern Ocean albatross by being the largest black-backed albatross with proportionally longer wings, slightly fuller body, stouter bill and less manoeuvrable flight. Adults can readily be identified by having a grey head and neck, wholly dark primaries on the underside of the wing resulting in lacking the white wedge shape close to the tip of the underwing, and an olive-brown beak which is ivory-coloured on the top and bottom and has a black spot near the tip of the lower bill. Juveniles are difficult to separate from other members of the group but tend not to occur in NSW waters as they fly across the Pacific Ocean to seas off Chile and Peru as soon as they fledge. The Buller's Albatross juvenile is similar but is smaller and slimmer with a less robust bill.
Distribution
This species principally nests on the Bounty Islands, with small numbers on the Western Chain Islets in the Snares Islands and a few pairs nesting on Pyramid Rock and The Forty-Fours in the Chatham Islands of New Zealand. A small number of pairs also nest on Iles Crozet in the French Southern Territories. The total population is estimated between 350,000 and 380,000 individuals, with 99% nesting on the Bounty Islands. It ranges widely through the South Pacific Ocean, particularly in the Humboldt Current off western South America. In NSW waters it is an uncommon visitor principally occurring between June and October, with the majority of sightings from waters south of Sydney.
Habitat and ecology
- Occasional individuals are encountered both in inshore and offshore over the continental shelf and in pelagic waters off the shelf break.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- The most pervasive threat to Albatross species including this one is accidental mortality and injury arising from interactions with human fishing activities, especially longline and trawl fisheries. These interactions have been implicated in the dramatic population declines witnessed around the globe and are the focus of conservation efforts. Longline fisheries are known to be responsible for the deaths of foraging Salvin's Albatross, both inside and outside the Australian Fishing Zone.
- It is likely that occasional individual mortality results from becoming entangled, being affected by oil or other chemical pollutants, or ingestion of plastics or other marine pollutants.
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological
community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified
0 priority actions
to help recover the Salvin's Albatross in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Continue to develop and disseminate information on strategies and techniques which reduce the incidence of Albatross capture in longline and trawl fisheries. Mitigation measures in longline fisheries include: undertake fishing operations at night, use demersal longline streamers, deploy demersal longline underwater setting chutes, use weighted lines to ensure that they sink quickly, and use blue-dyed bait. Mitigation measures in trawl fisheries include: deploy streamer lines, use bird bafflers, avoid the discharging of offal prior to and during net shooting, net binding, net weighting, removing caught birds without causing injury and placing waterlogged birds in dry boxes to allow feathers to be dried and reconditioned before release.
- Continue to educate fishers, ship operators and recreational craft users to not throw rubbish overboard which may result in entanglement or the ingestion of pollutants. Support programs which clean up rubbish along coastlines and coastal waterways, including estuaries.
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