https://sharkresearch.rsmas.miami.edu/conservation/conservation-of-amsterdam-albatrosses
Species DescriptionAmsterdam Albatrosses or Amsterdam Island Albatrosses (Diomedea amsterdamensis) are huge, web-footed seabirds that are critically endangered. They have brown plumage, a white face and underside, and pink beaks. Amsterdam Albatrosses normally weigh 11 to 18 pounds, are 3.5 to 4 feet tall, and have a wingspan of 9 to 11 feet. They can glide long distances without moving muscles in their wings. Amsterdam Albatrosses live for 40 to 60 years, and can spend five years at sea! | http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/albatross/ |
One interesting fact about this bird is that, at the peak of its weight gain, the chicks actually can weigh more than their parents! The extra weight is then lost as they grow feathers.
Originally, this species was thought to be a sub-species of the Wandering Albatross, which is classified as vulnerable. Of the 21 species of albatrosses that the IUCN identifies, 19 are in danger of extinction.
https://www.beautyofbirds.com/amsterdamalbatrosses.html | Population, Habitat, and DistributionOnly one population of Amsterdam Albatrosses exists. There are about 18 to 25 breeding pairs in the population, but the current world population is estimated to be a total of about 130 birds. Because Amsterdam Albatrosses spend most of their lives at sea, this number is uncertain. Amsterdam Albatrosses only breed every two years, and have lifelong mates, known as a “pair bond”. After they learn to fly, juveniles return to the breeding colony after four to seven years, but do not breed until they are nine years old. |
The Amsterdam Albatross only breeds on Plateau des Tourbières on Amsterdam Island, which is located in the southern Indian Ocean. The breeding area is only about 2.7 square miles. Amsterdam albatrosses breed on open, marshy ground. During breeding season, the birds are found within 1500 miles of Amsterdam Island. When they are not breeding, their exact location is unknown. However, recent satellite tracking suggests that the birds range from the eastern South African coast to the western Australian coast. There have also been rumored sightings in New Zealand. | http://www.ourendangeredworld.com/species/birds-bats/amsterdam-albatross/ |
https://www.beautyofbirds.com/amsterdamalbatrosses.html | Role in EcosystemBecause the population size is so small, not much is known about Amsterdam Albatrosses. However, they are believed to eat squid, crustaceans, and fish like some other albatross species. Albatrosses help to control the populations of these organisms. Some species are also thought to eat scavenged squid from the die-off that occurs after squids give birth and the vomit of squid-eating whales. In this way, they also act as scavengers in their ecosystem. Cause of DeclineThe introduction of exotic species to Amsterdam Island, such as feral cats and cattle, has contributed to the decline of the Amsterdam Albatross. Vegetation at the only breeding area has been trampled by cattle, which has reduced the suitable nesting habitat of the birds. Feral cats eat both chicks and birds, and may spread disease. Because this species is very rare, they are very susceptible to diseases (like avian cholera and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae). |
Bycatch is the predominant threat to these birds. Longline fishing for tuna, in particular, causes the death of many of these birds each year. Longlines contain thousands of hooks that are attached to a main line by branchlines. Albatrosses try to take the bait, and drown after being snagged on longline fishing hooks. Climate change is another threat to albatrosses. Rising sea-levels rise can destroy their limited breeding area, and changing wind patterns and strength can affect their ability to fly. | http://www.arkive.org/amsterdam-albatross/diomedea-amsterdamensis/photos.html |
Why Should We Care?
Because Amsterdam Albatrosses are believed to eat fish, squid, and crustaceans, the populations of these organisms will be affected by their decline. Without albatrosses to help control prey populations, the population sizes of fish, squid, and crustaceans may increase, which would then have a negative impact on the species that those animals eat. Albatrosses are an important part of culture. Albatrosses were often thought of as the souls of lost sailors, and were considered a good omen. In “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, killing an albatross brings bad luck. | http://www.arkive.org/amsterdam-albatross/diomedea-amsterdamensis/photos.html |
Scientists still have a lot to learn from these birds. Albatrosses can fly about three times as fast as the windspeed, even without flapping their wings. In fact, NASA has researched this “dynamic soaring” technique to possibly power unmanned aircraft that will monitor fisheries and carry out research. The Munich University of Technology has researched albatross flight for possible application to unmanned aerial drones, as well.
Conservation EffortsSeveral organizations and regulations are dedicated to saving albatrosses. The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels requires 8 countries to reduce by-catch, pollution, and remove introduced species from nesting islands. The Amsterdam Albatross is listed on the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS) which protects migratory animals, conserves their habitat, and controls factors that could endanger them. Amsterdam Albatrosses are closely monitored. Each bird that enters the breeding area is banded, and census is taken each year. Satellite transmitters have been used on some of the birds. Fences have also been put up in order to keep cattle out of breeding areas, and there is an effort to remove cats from the island. Humans are also restricted from accessing the colony. |
BirdLife International and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) frequently work together to protect albatrosses. These organizations have founded the Albatross Task Force, which is dedicated to showing fishermen how to prevent albatross deaths. BirdLife International and RSPB also collaborate on the Global Seabird Programme, which works to develop fishing technologies that reduce bycatch. |
Reducing bycatch is a major focus of protecting these birds. The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) requires that all longline ships in the Indian Ocean use seabird bycatch measures. Options include tori lines, which scare birds away, weighted hooks that sink faster, or setting hooks at night. Southern Seabird Solutions also works to reduce bycatch, and the World Wildlife Fund holds an International Smart Gear Competition that identifies better fishing techniques and equipment.
https://www.beautyofbirds.com/sites/default/files/birds/albatross/AmsterdamAlbatross.jpg | What You Can Do to HelpSupport sustainable fishing methods. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certifies seafood that is obtained from sustainable fisheries that work to reduce bycatch. By buying MSC certified seafood, you can help reduce the number of albatrosses that are killed by longlines each year. |
Pick up trash from the beach. Albatross chicks choke on plastic and other waste that their parents mistakenly feed them. By removing garbage, you can help save many other marine organisms, in addition to these seabirds.
Reduce you carbon footprint. Change in wind patterns and strength and rising sea levels can have a negative impact on Amsterdam Albatrosses. Do your part to reduce climate change by calculating your carbon footprint: http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx. Join an organization or donate. Visit organizational websites to become a member of the RSPB or BirdLIfe Partner, or to donate to the Albatross Task Force. | |
Spread the word about the endangered Amsterdam Albatross! The more that people know about these amazing seabirds, the more support and protection they will have.
Sources
https://www.beautyofbirds.com/amsterdamalbatrosses.html
http://www.rspb.org.uk/joinandhelp/donations/campaigns/albatross/about/species/amsterdam.aspx
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http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22698310/0
http://www.arkive.org/amsterdam-albatross/diomedea-amsterdamensis/image-G18009.html
http://www.ourendangeredworld.com/species/birds-bats/amsterdam-albatross/
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http://www.rspb.org.uk/joinandhelp/donations/campaigns/albatross/about/species/amsterdam.aspx
http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/312714-landmark-move-to-protect-albatrosses-in-the-indian-ocean-announced
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22698310/0
http://www.arkive.org/amsterdam-albatross/diomedea-amsterdamensis/image-G18009.html
http://www.ourendangeredworld.com/species/birds-bats/amsterdam-albatross/
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/how-the-unflappable-albatross-can-travel-10000-miles-in-a-single-journey-8945618.html
http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/albatross/
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Albatross
http://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/robotic-exploration/the-nearly-effortless-flight-of-the-albatross