White-capped Albatross

Appearance

The White-capped Albatross averages 90–99 cm in length, with a wingspan of 220–256 cm . It has a bold white cap that contrasts with a pale silver grey face and a darker brow. Some adults have white back with brown tipped feathers. They have a dark grey mantle and a black tail. Most of the rest of the body is white. Its bill is pale grey to blue with a yellow tip. Juveniles have a grey bill with a dark tip, and their head is darker, with grey to the collar.

Status

The IUCN classifies this species as Near Threatened, with an occurrence range of 77,700,000 km2 and a breeding range of 22 km2 . The largest threat for this bird is longline and trawl fisheries. Net monitor cables were responsible for large amounts of deaths; however, they were phased out in 1992. Commercial exploitation of the squid in Bass Strait may present a threat by reducing the food supply Also, pigs on Auckland Island reduced nesting from 1972–1982, and feral cats also take small number of chicks.

Since 2006, Auckland Island birds have started to have been tracked, and this will be ongoing.

Habitat

They are endemic to the islands off the coast of New Zealand, with a population of 75,000 breeding pairs, estimated in 2007, and 350,000 to 375,000 total birds. Disappointment Island has 72,000 pairs, Auckland Island has 3,000 pairs, Adams Island has 100 pairs, and Bollons Island has 100 pairs.

Juvenile and non-breeding birds are believed to forage in the southwestern Atlantic and a recent DNA test of a South Georgia bird confirmed it. Also, using different techniques, scientists have proven that they forage off the coast of southwestern Africa. Juveniles are also believe to go as far as the south Atlantic and the southwestern Indian Ocean.

Reproduction

The White-capped Albatross breeds annually on rocks on small islands.

Food

They are a surface feeder, but may utilize shallow dives for their food which is fish, cephalopods, tunicates, and crustacea.