Justification This species qualifies as Critically Endangered because it has an extremely small population, confined to a tiny area on one island. Although numbers have recently been increasing, a continuing decline is projected owing to the impact of a disease which is probably already causing chick mortality.

Family/Sub-family Diomedeidae

Species name author Roux et al. 1983

Taxonomic source(s) Brooke (2004), Robertson and Nunn (1998), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 110 cm. Huge albatross with brownish breeding plumage. Juvenile very similar to juvenile Wandering Albatross D. exulans. Adult has almost entirely chocolate-brown upperparts. White face mask and throat. Broad brown breast-band. White lower breast and belly with brown undertail-coverts. White underwing with dark tip. Similar spp. Dark leading edge to underwing possibly broader than in D. exulans. Dark tip and cutting edges to pink bill characteristic, and best identification feature if visible, compared to, for example, Antipodean Albatross D. antipodensis, which lacks dark marks on bill.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

80

decreasing

4,400,000 km²

Yes

Range & population Diomedea amsterdamensis breeds on the Plateau des Tourbières on Amsterdam Island (French Southern Territories) in the southern Indian Ocean. It has a total population of c.130 birds including 80 mature individuals, with c.18-25 pairs breeding annually, showing an increase since 1984, when the first census was carried out^4,8,11. The population was probably formerly larger when its range was more extensive over the slopes of the island⁸. During the breeding season, birds forage both around Amsterdam Island and up to 2,200 km away in subtropical waters⁹. Satellite tracking has recently shown that adult birds range from the coast of eastern South Africa to the south of western Australia in non-breeding years¹², and possible sightings have been reported from Australia³ and New Zealand¹.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: Breeding is biennial (when successful) and is restricted to the central plateau of the island at 500-600 m, where only one breeding group is known. Pair-bonds are lifelong, and breeding begins in February¹². Its exact diet is unknown, but probably consists of fish, squid and crustaceans^5,6.

Threats Degradation of breeding sites by introduced cattle has decreased the species's range and population across the island⁴. Human disturbance is presumably also to blame⁵. Introduced predators are a major threat, particularly feral cats⁴. Interactions with longline fisheries around the island, in the 1970s and early 1980s, could also have contributed to a decline in the population⁴. Today the population is threatened primarily by the potential spread of diseases (Avian cholera and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathidae) that affect the Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche carteri population 3 km from the colony. Infection risks are very high and increased chick mortality over recent years suggests the population is already affected¹⁰.

Conservation measures underway ACAP Annex 1. All birds are banded and the population is censused and monitored every year⁷, and some birds have been fitted with satellite transmitters. In 1987 the number of cattle was reduced and a fence erected to seal off part of the island. In 1992 a second fence was erected with the aim of providing complete protection for the high plateau from possible incursions by cattle⁷. A resolution in June 2008 from the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission requiring long-line vessels to use preventative measures to avoid by-catch of seabirds may be important for this species¹².

Conservation measures proposed Prevent the spread of disease. Continue detailed monitoring of the population. Promote adoption of best-practice mitigation measures in all fisheries within the species's range, particularly via intergovernmental mechanisms such as ACAP, FAO and appropriate Regional Fisheries Management Organisations.

References 1. Carboneras (1992b). 2. J. Cooper and J. P. Croxall in litt. (2000). 3. Environment Australia (1999). 4. Inchausti and Weimerskirch (2001). 5. Jouventin (1994b). 6. Jouventin et al. (1989). 7. Micol and Jouventin (1995). 8. Weimerskirch et al. (1997). 9. H. Weimerskirch (unpublished data). 10. Weimerskirch (submitted). 11. H. Weimerskirch in litt. (2005). 12. Hirschfeld (2008).

Further web sources of information

Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This species has been identified as an AZE trigger due to its IUCN Red List status and limited range.

Australian Govt - Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000 - Recovery Outline

Text account compilers Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Deon Nel (WWF South Africa), Deon Nel (BirdLife Seabird Programme), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International), Ben Sullivan (BirdLife International Global Seabird Programme), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors John Cooper (Avian Demography Unit, Cape Town), John Croxall (British Antarctic Survey), Henri Weimerskirsch (Chizé Centre of Biological Studies (CNRS))

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Diomedea amsterdamensis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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