A first for short-tailed albatross in recorded history
(updates, corrections added February 4)
See photos of the chick on our FlickR site at: http://www.fws.gov/pacific/t/?id=320
An important- and hopeful- milestone in the conservation of the endangered short-tailed albatross was recorded today at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. A short-tailed albatross hatched on Eastern Island, one of three small flat coral islands that comprise Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge about 1,200 miles northwest of Honolulu. This marks the first confirmed hatching of a short-tailed albatross outside of the islands surrounding Japan in recorded history.
"We are all as excited as new parents," said Daniel Clark, acting Refuge Manager. "The chick hatched in the middle of a major storm but the parent is doing an excellent job of protecting it so we are guardedly optimistic about its chances for survival."
Establishing a new nesting colony is one of several important steps needed to continue the rare bird's recovery because volcanic activity regularly threatens the short-tailed albatross' main nesting grounds on Torishima Island. The species' recovery also depends on reducing the threats of contaminants, especially oil contamination at sea and plastic ingestion; reducing bycatch of these seabirds in commercial fisheries; and addressing invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species conflicts at nesting colonies.
A pair of short-tailed albatross first "met" at Midway Atoll Refuge during the breeding season four years ago (2007-08). During that season, they were observed spending only a little time together. During the second season (2008-09), their time together increased. By the third season (2009-10), they arrived at the Eastern Island breeding colony together and built a nest. This breeding season, on November 16, 2010, an adult short-tailed albatross was observed incubating a freshly laid egg.
