Save the Short-Tailed Albatross

Short tailed-Albatross

By: Jake Sesti

Ecology/Description

The Short-tailed Albatross is a type of albatross that belongs to the Diomedeidae family. They are a medium sized albatross with a wingspan of 85-91 inches, a length of 33-37 inches, and a body weight ranging from 9-18 pounds. They have dark brown colored plumage until they mature as adults, between the ages of 10-20 years old. Its adult feathers are mainly white with black "flight" feathers. It has a yellow colored head and neck with a large pink bill. The short-tailed albatross is easily distinguished from other albatrosses in its range due to its larger size, pink bill, and mainly white plumage. The short-tailed albatross also possesses some special characteristics. They have unique bills that split into seven and nine horny plates. They also produce a stomach oil that is made of wax and triglycerides. They use this oil to fight off predators and also as a long term source of energy and food during migrations. Furthermore, they have a salt gland above their nasal passage that helps desalinate their bodies, due to the high amount of ocean water they drink.  

Geographic and Habitat Changes

The short-tailed albatross once ranged throughout most of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. They also have historically been seen to range down the Western Coast as far south as Baja, Mexico. In the North Pacific, the albatross were known to breed on many islands in Japan, most notably Torishima. They used to breed on islands in Taiwan and were highly concentrated in many other Asian islands, as this was their main breeding grounds.  The only area in United States' jurisdiction where the Short-tailed Albatross attempted to breed was Midway Atoll. There has been previous notions that they tried to breed in Alaska and other Islands off the coast of the United States, but no successful breeding pairs have been officially documented. Short-tailed Albatross now breed solely on the island of Torishima. They have a current range that covers most of the North Pacific Ocean. They also have been spotted throughout international waters within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), consisting of Mexico, US, Canada, Japan, China, and North and South Korea. 

Short-Tailed Albatross Satellite Telementary 

Listing Date and Type of Listing

The Short-tailed Albatross was listed in 1973 under the Endangered Species Act is listed as endangered throughout its range

Cause of Listing and Main Threats to Existence 

Historically Short-tailed Albatrosses numbered in the millions and were extremely abundant off the North Pacific Coasts and on many Japanese Islands. Currently, they now number in the 2000's. Between the 1880s and 1920s the Short-tailed Albatross population was declining rapidly. It is estimate that over 5 million Short-tailed Albatross were harvested from a single breeding island in Japan. At this time they became nearly extinct. Throughout the late 1900s the Short-tailed Albatross' numbers continued to dwindle as they teetered on the brink of extinction. After over a century of decline, a recovery plan was finally created in 2007 to save them. Since the recovery plan was put into action, their numbers have increased at about a 5-8% rate per year. 

Similar to most ESA listed species there are multiple causes that lead to their endangered status. However, the main reason behind the decrease of Short-tailed Albatross is over-exploitation by humans. During the late 1800s and early 1900s feather hunters killed an estimated 8 million of them. They were also sought for food, sailors used almost every part of the albatross' body meat. Also, they have commercial value for their long and beautiful bill. Furthermore, their white and black tail feathers were highly sought after for pen plumes. It is noted in one seventeen-year period over five million albatross were killed to use their feathers to stuff mattresses and quilts for European markets. Short-tailed Albatross are also subject to human pollution that effects all species that live in the ocean. They are often found victims of fishing line accidents, or found dead with plastic in their stomachs. Another reason for the decline of Short-tailed Albatross were some introduced species. Alabtross chicks and eggs are very easy prey for invasive cats and rats who feed on their unprotected ground nests. Another huge threat to the Short-Tailed Albatross existence is that they their last breeding ground is on a Japanese island, Torishima. The big issue is there is an active volcano on Toroshima. It last erupted over 100 years ago resulting in killing all of the islands human occupants. If the volcano were to erupt again during breeding season, the albatross would undoubtedly become extinct leaving only juveniles out at sea to survive. Lastly, some researches have found intense natural storms have killed some albatross in the past due to their lengthy migrations. This is however not a major threat to their existence.

Torishima Volcano Description of Recovery Plan To be reclassified from endangered to threatened the Short-tailed albatross need to achieve these following conditions •   The total breeding population must reach a minimum of 750 pairs •   At least three breeding colonies each showing a 3-year running average growth rate of greater than 6% for over 7 years, also two of which must occupy island groups other than Torishima with a minimum of over 50 breeding pairs each •   A minimum of 75 pairs occur on a site or sites other than Torishima and the Senkaku Islands These are just a few major requirements of a longer list of more specific area based requirements. These other requirements are island specific with a main goal of achieving at least 3 more breeding grounds.  To achieve recovery, the US Fish and Wildlife Service created a 9 step plan. The plan involves continuing to monitor population and manage habitat on the important breeding island, Torishisma. They want to monitor the size and productivity of other island populations. They will strive to continue telemetry studies to help discover more information that can aid in the recovery process. They must establish at least one more breeding colony that is not on a volcanic island. Lastly, they will continue to conduct research that will facilitate recovery and they will conduct other outreach programs and international negotiations to raise awareness for the cause.  How can you help? Recycle all plastics. Short-tailed Albatross have been often found victims of plastic pollutants in oceans.  Read the recovery plan and familiarize yourself with the Short-tailed Albatross so you can promote awareness. http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/090520.pdf.   Donate to help boost recovery efforts on these websites, http://www.arkive.org/short-tailed-albatross/phoebastria-albatrus/, and http://www.rspb.org.uk/joinandhelp/donations/campaigns/albatross/about/species/short_tailed.aspx Works Cited Service, U.s. Fish And Wildlife. Short-Tailed Albatross (n.d.): n. pag. US Fish and Wildlife Services. Web.  "Short-Tailed Albatross: An Endangered Species." Bagheera. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2015.  "Short-tailed Albatross." The RSPB. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2015.  "Short-tailed Albatross Videos, Photos and Facts." - Phoebastria Albatrus. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2015.