Bruny Island Birdlife - Albatross

There are 21 species of albatross, although only 10 are commonly seen over Tasmanian waters. Albatross are quite large birds with big wingspan which helps them fly long distances. Albatross are long lived birds and can live up to 50 years.

Behaviour

Albatross cover great distances looking for food, and can cover almost a thousand kilometres in a single day, using dynamic soaring and slope soaring techniques, which means they don't even need to flap their wings.

Habitat

Albatross usually create colonies on isolated islands. There are 3 breeding islands off Tasmania - Mewstone and Pedra Branca to the south of Tasmania, and Albatross Island to the north. Albatross can often be seen around the Cape Bruny Lighthouse area.

Conservation

Albatross in the past were hunted for food, their bones and feathers, and for sport. Modern threats include drowning after getting hooked on fishing longlines, rats and feral cats eating the young, and ingestion of plastic wastes. Three of the 21 species are critically endangered and the others are considered threatened. In 2001, an international treaty was signed requiring countries to implement measures to try and halt the rapid decline of the albatross population.