Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285:reg:13:p76
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01285
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 13 (pt 76/98)
Character Range: 442104–445113

not listed

Species description

A small albatross, the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross is approximately 75 cm in length, 1.8-2.8 kg in weight, with a wing length of 48-52 cm, and bill length of 107-122 mm (ACAP 2015, Menkhorst et al. 2017). Tubenosed; separate nostrils on a large, mostly black plated bill, with pink tip and yellow upper ridge that is generally rounded at base of bill. Combination of dark and white plumage, with head and rump white, with dark eye-patch and pale grey on cheek, with dark back, upper wings and tail, and leading edge of underwings and wing tips (Onley & Scofield 2007, BirdLife International 2018q).

Life history

Breeding locality  Jurisdiction

Tristan da Cunha   United Kingdom

Endemic to Tristan de Cunha (United Kingdom) with six breeding sites on Gough Island, Nightingale Island, Inaccessible Island, and Tristan da Cunha (ACAP 2012c). Although the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross is generally an annual breeder, when successful, experienced breeding pairs only attempt breeding in two out of every three years (Cuthbert et al. 2003b). Adults arrive at colonies in late August/September with females laying a single egg in September/October that hatches after incubation period of just over nine weeks in late November to late December (Rowan 1951). Fledging of chicks occurs after approximately four months in April (Rowan 1951, Cuthbert et al. 2003b). Mean annual breeding success varies by location from 64-69% (ACAP 2012c).
The Atlantic-nosed Albatross disperses in the higher latitudes of the Atlantic Ocean and southwest Indian Ocean. Juveniles return to colonies when five years of age, and begin breeding when 6-13 years of age (Cuthbert 2003b). Generation length is estimated at 18.5 years (Bird et al. 2020).

Species distribution in Australia

Australia is within the foraging range of the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross. An indicative distribution map is not available for this non-threatened species. Tracking studies and at-sea records indicate that dispersal from the breeding colonies is generally in the higher latitudes (25-50°S) of the Atlantic Ocean extending into the western Indian Ocean, with some birds reaching Australian and New Zealand waters (Robertson 1975, BirdLife International 2004, ACAP 2012c).

Population estimates and trends

The global population is experiencing a very rapid decline over three generations (Davies et al. 2015, BirdLife International 2018q). There were an estimated 33,650 breeding pairs in 2011 (ACAP 2022).

Habitat critical to survival of species

The species is limited to six breeding sites at Tristan de Cunha (United Kingdom) on Gough Island, Nightingale Island, Inaccessible Island, and Tristan da Cunha, with the largest population on Tristan da Cunha (ACAP 2012c).

Threats

The risk matrix for the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross is provided at Table 33, with the threats occurring in Australia's jurisdiction highlighted.
Table 33: Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche chlororhynchos)