Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285:reg:13:p67
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 13 (pt 67/98)
Character Range: 413822–416905

and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth): Vulnerable
Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (Western Australia): Vulnerable
National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (South Australia): Vulnerable
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Victoria): Critically Endangered
Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 (Tasmania): not listed
Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (New South Wales): not listed
Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Queensland): Least Concern
IUCN Red list of Threatened Species: Vulnerable
Action Plan for Australian Birds 2020: population visiting Australia Least Concern

Species description

A large albatross, the Southern Royal Albatross is approximately 107-122 cm in length, 6.6-9.5 kg in weight, with a wing length of 65-75 cm, and bill length of 166-190 mm (ACAP 2015, Menkhorst et al. 2017). Tubenosed; separate nostrils on a large, pink plated bill with black cutting edge on upper mandible. Combination of white and dark plumage with white head and back, white black-brown tipped tail, black upper wings with white extending back from leading edge of inner wings in a triangle, and with mostly white underparts with black trailing edge to underwing and black wingtips (Onley & Scofield 2007, BirdLife International 2018d).

Life history

Breeding locality                  Jurisdiction

Auckland Islands, Campbell Island  New Zealand

Endemic to New Zealand with four breeding sites in the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands, and Campbell Island (ACAP 2012t). The Southern Royal Albatross is a biennial breeder, when successful. Adults begin arriving at colonies from October. Females lay a single egg from late November to late December that hatches after an incubation period of 10-12 weeks in early February to early March (Waugh et al. 1997). The chicks fledge after seven to eight months, in early October to early November (Marchant & Higgins 1990). Mean annual breeding success varies between 62-77% annually (Waugh et al. 1997, Moore et al. 1997, Childerhouse et al. 2003). The Southern Royal Albatross has a circumpolar range in the higher latitudes of the southern hemisphere (30-55°S) (BirdLife International 2004, 2018d). Juveniles return to breeding colonies when 3-7 years of age, with individuals beginning breeding when 6-12 years of age (Marchant & Higgins 1990, Childerhouse et al. 2003, Wanless 2007). Generation length is estimated at 27.9 years (Bird et al. 2020).

Species distribution in Australia

Australia is within the foraging range of the Southern Royal Albatross (Figure 10). Tracking studies indicate that during the breeding season the birds mostly forage in New Zealand waters, but dispersal is circumpolar during non-breeding periods, including southern, sub-Antarctic Australia, and the AAT (BirdLife International 2004, ACAP 2012t).

Population estimates and trends

The global population is considered stable or possibly increasing (Moore et al. 1997, BirdLife International 2018d. There were an estimated 7900 breeding pairs in 2018 (ACAP 2022).

Habitat critical to survival of species

Species is limited to four breeding