Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285:reg:13:p72
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 13 (pt 72/98)
Character Range: 429664–432742

al. 1996). Thalassarche bulleri is listed under the EPBC Act at the specific level, with Thalassarche bulleri platei (Northern Buller's Albatross) listed as a subspecies. Robertson & Nunn (1998) suggested Thalassarche bulleri and Thalassarche platei as distinct terminal taxa based on morphological differences. ACAP has concluded on advice from its Taxonomy Working Group that available data did not warrant the recognition of Buller's and Pacific albatrosses as separate species (Double 2006, ACAP 2006).

Current status of taxon

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

Species description

A small-medium albatross, Buller's Albatross is approximately 76-81 cm in length, 2.0-3.3 kg in weight, with a wing length of 47-55 cm, and bill length of 76-81 mm (ACAP 2015, Menkhorst et al. 2017). Tubenosed; separate nostrils on a large, mostly black plated bill with yellow upper and lower ridges, with yellow ridge broadening at base of bill. Combination of grey and white plumage, with white-capped, grey head and dark eye patch, white body with a dark back, upper wings, leading edge of underwings and tip of tail (Onley & Scofield 2007, BirdLife International 2018n).

Life history

Breeding locality                                                       Jurisdiction

Chatham Islands, Solander Islands, Snares Islands, Three Kings Islands  New Zealand

Endemic to New Zealand with 10 breeding sites on the Chatham Islands, Solander Islands, Snares Islands, and Three Kings Islands (ACAP 2012f). Buller's Albatross is typically an annual breeder with the breeding cycle at the Snares and Solander Islands commencing about three months later than at the Chatham and Three Kings Islands. Adults arrive at the Snares and Solander Islands in mid-December. Females lay a single egg in January/February that hatches after incubation period of around nine weeks in mid-March to April (Sagar & Warham 1998). Fledging of chicks occurs after approximately five and a half months in August to October (Warham & Bennington 1983, Sagar & Warham 1998). At the Chatham Islands, eggs are laid in November, hatch in January and chicks fledge in June (Robertson 1985, 1991). Mean annual breeding success varies by location from 51-71% (Sagar et al. 2002). Buller's Albatross ranges across the southern Pacific Ocean and western seaboard of South America. Juveniles begin returning to colonies after at least three years, and commence breeding on average when 10-11 years of age (Francis & Sagar 2012). Generation length is estimated at