UNEP-WCMC - Short-tailed Albatross

GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD Formerly ranged widely over the Pacific Ocean, now this species is mostly found in the region of Japan. The confirmed breeding places are the volcanic ash slopes of Torishima in the Izu Islands, on a cliff on Minami-kojima in the Senkaku Islands, Japan and on Midway Atoll, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, USA.

CURRENT POPULATION A total of about 600 individuals: 500 at Torishima, about 75 at Minami-kojima, one or two birds per year at Midway Atoll and a single incubating female found in 1993 (1991 figures).

SIZE 84 to 94cm.

WEIGHT 3,000 to 5,000g.

AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY Unknown. Albatrosses are long lived birds, some species have lived to 30 years old.

NORMAL DIET Fish, squid and crustaceans. This species takes squid at night when many come to the surface.

NORMAL LIFESTYLE Nests in colonies, with closely packed, scanty nests on the ground. A single egg is laid and incubated by both parents.

PREVIOUS GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD Once bred in huge numbers on at least 11 islands in the Izu-Bonin island chains, in the Ryukyu Islands in Japan, in Taiwan and probably on several islands off China. Large quantities of bones have been found in the middens of coastal North American Indians indicating the previous wide distribution of this species.

REASONS FOR DECLINE Exploitation for their feathers from the late 19th century onwards almost wiped out most populations by 1930.

CURRENT THREATS Mortality at sea caused by driftnet and longline fisheries. It is possible that the abundant rats on Torishima predate eggs and newly hatched young. Plastic debris inadvertently fed to chicks by their parents may also be a problem. The main population on Torishima remains vulnerable to volcanic eruptions.

CONSERVATION PROJECTS At Torishima breeding success has been improved over the last 45 years with grass transplantation to stabilise the nesting area. This population is increasing at about 7 per cent per year, but remains vulnerable to volcanic eruptions. Efforts are being made to create a new colony at a stable site on the other side of the island. A proposal to mine sulphur on Torishima was refused by the Japanese government in order to save the albatross. The Short-tailed Albatross has been declared a Special National Monument by the government of Japan.

SPECIAL FEATURES The main population of this species on Torishima increased as a result of conservation measures from less than 50 birds in 1951 to approximately 500 birds in 1991.

REFERENCES

Collar, N.J., Crosby, M.J. and Stattersfield, A.J. 1994. Birds to Watch 2. The World List of Threatened Birds. BirdLife International: Cambridge.

Hoyo, J.d., Elliot, A. and Sargatal, J. 1992. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. 640pp.

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