Justification This species is listed as Vulnerable because, although conservation efforts have resulted in a steady population increase, it still has a very small breeding range, limited to Torishima and Minami-kojima (Senkaku Islands), rendering it susceptible to stochastic events and human impacts.

Family/Sub-family Diomedeidae

Species name author (Pallas, 1769)

Taxonomic source(s) AOU checklist (1998 + supplements), Brooke (2004), Robertson and Nunn (1998), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Stotz et al. (1996)

Synonyms Diomedea albatrus Stotz et al. (1996), Diomedea albatrus Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Diomedea albatrus Collar et al. (1994), Diomedea albatrus Collar and Andrew (1988)

Identification 89 cm. Medium-sized albatross. Adult has white head and body and golden cast to crown and nape. White tail with black terminal bar. White upperwing with black flight feathers and some coverts. White underwing with black margins, some grey-brown axillaries and coverts. Juvenile is blackish-brown with flesh-coloured legs. Immatures progressively whiten with age. All ages, large pink bill, bluer at tip with age. Similar spp. Disproportionately large pink bill distinguishes it from other North Pacific albatrosses.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,200 - 2,500

increasing

34,800,000 km²

No

Range & population Phoebastria albatrus breeds on Torishima (Japan), and Minami-kojima (Senkaku Islands), that are claimed jointly by Japan, mainland China and Chinese Taipei. Historically there are believed to have been at least nine colonies south of Japan and in the East China Sea ³. Its marine range covers most of the northern Pacific Ocean, but it occurs in highest densities in areas of upwelling along shelf waters of the Pacific Rim, particularly along the coasts of Japan, eastern Russia, the Aleutians and Alaska ^3,4. During breeding (December - May) it is found in highest densities around Japan. Satellite tracking has indicated that during the post-breeding period, females spend more time offshore of Japan and Russia, while males and juveniles spend greater time around the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea and off the coast of North America⁴. The species declined dramatically during the 19th and 20th centuries owing to exploitation for feathers, and was believed extinct in 1949, until rediscovered in 1951. The current population is estimated, via direct counts and modelling based on productivity data, to be 2,364 individuals, with 1,922 birds on Torishima and 442 birds on Minami-kojima⁵.

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

Ecology: Historically, it preferred level, open, areas adjacent to tall clumps of the grass Miscanthus sinensis for nesting. It feeds mainly on squid and has been recorded following ships to feed on scraps and fish offal.

Threats Its historical decline was caused by exploitation. Today, the key threats are the instability of soil on its main breeding site (Torishima), the threat of mortality and habitat loss from the active volcano on Torishima, and mortality caused by fisheries. Torishima is also vulnerable to other natural disasters, such as typhoons. Introduced predators are a potential threat at colonies. Environmental contaminants at sea (oil based compounds) may also be a threat⁵. Threats at sea (fisheries, oil pollution) are exacerbated by the fact that birds concentrate into predictable hotspots³.

Conservation measures underway It is legally protected in Japan, Canada and the USA. A draft recovery plan has been developed². Mitigation measures are required in the Alaska demersal longline fishery and in the Hawaii-based pelagic longline fishery. Streamer lines (both heavy weight lines for large boats and lightweight lines for smaller vessels) have been designed to keep birds from longline hooks as they are set, and these are being distributed free to the Alaskan longline fleet². In 2006, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission passed a measure which requires large tuna and swordfish longline vessels (>24m long) to use a combination of two seabird bycatch mitigation measures when fishing north of 23 degrees North. Torishima has been established as a National Wildlife Protection Area. In 1981-1982, native plants were transplanted into the Torishima nesting colony, in order to stabilise the nesting habitat and the nest structures. This has enhanced breeding success, with over 60% of eggs now resulting in fledged young. Decoys have been used to attract birds to nest at another site on Torishima and the first pair started breeding at this new site in November 1995. The number of chicks fledged from this new colony has increased from one chick in 2004; four chicks in 2005; 13 chicks in 2006; 16 chicks in 2007. In October-November 2007, 35 eggs were laid at this new site. In 2007, the Japanese government approved a project to translocate chicks from Torishima to Mukojima, 300km away. If successful, this project will translocate at least ten chicks per year for five years.

Conservation measures proposed Continue to promote measures designed to protect this species from becoming hooked or entangled by commercial fishing gear. Re-establish birds within historic range as insurance against natural disasters on primary breeding colony. Promote conservation measures for the Minami-kojima population. Continue research into the at-sea distribution and marine habitat use through satellite telemetry studies. Continue land-based management and population monitoring.

References 1. BirdLife International (2004). 2. USFWS (2005).3. Piatt et al. 2006. 4. Suryan et al. 2007. 5. G.R. Balogh in litt. (2008).

Further web sources of information

Fully detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001), together with new information collated since the publication of the Red Data Book

Text account compilers Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Simba Chan (Wild Bird Society of Japan), Mike Crosby (BirdLife International), Deon Nel (WWF South Africa), Deon Nel (BirdLife Seabird Programme), Nic Peet (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Cleo Small (BirdLife International Global Seabird Programme), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International), Ben Sullivan (BirdLife International Global Seabird Programme)

Contributors Greg Balogh (US Fish & Wildlife Service), Simba Chan (Wild Bird Society of Japan), Hiroshi Hasegawa (Toho University), Nic Peet (BirdLife International), Kim Rivera (US National Marine Fisheries Service), Rob Suryan (Oregon State University)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Cleo Small (BirdLife International Global Seabird Programme), Ben Sullivan (BirdLife International Global Seabird Programme)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Phoebastria albatrus. 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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