Species Profile: Short-tailed Albatross

Short-tailed Albatross. Photo: USFWS

Perhaps the greatest of all migratory birds, albatrosses travel millions of miles in their lifetimes, borne across vast oceans on the ceaseless tides of wind and wave. The Short-tailed is one of three albatross species that regularly occurs in U.S. waters, and it is certainly the rarest.

One of the biggest contributors to the species’ downfall was the mid-nineteenth century feather trade. Bird feathers and down were much sought after at the time for bedding, writing quills, and decorations on ladies’ hats.

The Japanese knew of the enormous albatross breeding colonies off their shores, and began to slaughter thousands of the birds for their feathers, meat, and eggs. These birds were easy targets, since they have no natural fear of humans.

Unfortunately, the feather collectors did not realize that the Short-tailed Albatrosses they were slaughtering so indiscriminately represented the entire world population of the species. Collectors moved from one island to the next, killing birds until there were none left. The Short-tailed Albatross was assumed to be extinct for many years thereafter.

Fortunately, juvenile Short-tails remain at sea for up to ten years before nesting. Even though the adult albatross had all been killed, enough young birds survived to carry on, and Short-tailed Albatrosses eventually began to return to nest on Torishima Island, south of Japan.

By the time this next generation of birds had begun to nest, the world had realized just how scarce the Short-tailed Albatross had become, and began to take steps to save the species. Today the main breeding colony on Torishima Island is protected, and the population is slowly beginning to recover. There is another small breeding colony of Short-taileds on neighboring Minami-Kojima island. Nesting attempts have also been documented on Midway Atoll.

Although protected today, the Short-tailed Albatross still faces continuing threats. Torishima Island is an active volcano; one eruption could again destroy most of the world’s population of Short-tails. North Pacific longlining also presents a serious threat to the species, and its inclusion on the U.S. Endangered Species List has been a major impetus driving conservation measures in longline fisheries operating in the region. If Short-tailed Albatross mortality were to exceed the handful of birds permitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the entire fishery could be shut down.

The Short-tailed Albatross is a wanderer, like all its relatives. During the non-breeding season, the species ranges across the North Pacific and the Bering Sea. With luck, birders on a pelagic trip might see a Short-tailed Albatross in Pacific coastal waters—a sight that we hope will become more common as the species continues to recover. To join ABC’s Albatross Action Campaign, visit www.saveourbirds.org.