---
title: " UPDATED Mystery chick found on Nakodojima: a sixth breeding locality for the Short-tailed Albatross?"
---

#  UPDATED Mystery chick found on Nakodojima: a sixth breeding locality for the Short-tailed Albatross?

The [Vulnerable](http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3956)Short-tailed Albatross *Phoebastria albatrus*breeds mainly on the Japanese island of [Torishima](http://www.acap.aq/index.php/en/news/latest-news/1679-acap-breeding-site-no-65-torishima-where-short-tailed-albatrosses-have-survived-both-feather-collectors-and-an-active-volcano) (Izu Islands) and on Minami-kojima in the disputed [Senkaku Islands](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senkaku_Islands).  A single STAL pair has bred successfully several times on Eastern Island, part of the USA’s [Midway Atoll](http://www.acap.aq/index.php/en/news/latest-news/1434-acap-breeding-site-no-36-midway-atoll-black-footed-laysan-and-short-tailed-albatrosses-within-a-world-heritage-site), and a faithful female-female pair on the USA’s [Kure Atoll](http://www.acap.aq/index.php/en/news/latest-news/1553-short-tailed-albatrosses-return-once-more-to-midway-atoll-national-wildlife-refuge) continues to lay infertile eggs and await a passing male.  In addition 70 chicks translocated over four years (2007-2011) from Torishima have nearly all successfully fledged from [Mukojima](http://www.acap.aq/index.php/en/news/latest-news/1575-no-mucking-about-on-mukojima-translocated-short-tailed-albatrosses-do-just-as-well-as-those-naturally-reared) in the Japanese [Ogasawara](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonin_Islands) (Bonin) Islands with the aim to establish a new colony.  At least two eggs have been laid at the translocation site but did not hatch ([click here)](http://www.acap.aq/index.php/en/news/latest-news/1642-short-tailed-albatross-pair-at-the-mukojima-translocation-colony-fails-to-hatch-an-egg-for-a-second-season)

 Now to add to these five localities comes news of a likely new breeding site for the Short-tailed Albatross.

 On 7 May this year researchers from the Ogasawara Branch of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government visiting uninhabited Nakodojima five kilometres south of Mukojima discovered what appeared to be a Short-tailed Albatross chick close to fledging.  The bird was colour banded and a feather sample taken for DNA analysis to aid in its positive identification ([click here](http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0001277072)).

 No parents were present at the time but a metal-banded STAL in adult plumage was observed in January with a younger bird being seen previously on the island.  On 11 May 2012 a colour-banded four-year old was reported on Nakodojima.  The parents of the newly-discovered chick may come from these three birds.

 Nakodojima supports breeding Black-footed Albatrosses *P. nigripes* (967 pairs in 2006 according to the [ACAP Data Portal](https://data.acap.aq/breeding_site.cfm?bs_id=2510)).  In 2007 10 Black-footed Albatross chicks were successfully transferred from Nakodojima to Mukojima, preliminary to the STAL translocation from Torishima that commenced the next year.  Nine of the 10 Black-foot chicks fledged and some have seen back courting at the translocation site ([click here](http://www.communitymatters.govt.nz/vwluResources/WCMT_Mike%20Bell_report_Final/$file/WCMT_Mike%20Bell_report_Final.pdf)).

  The Ogasawara Islands were designated as a World Heritage natural site in 2011, with Nakodojima Island being treated as the most restricted area.

  Feral goats have been removed but Black Rats *Rattus rattus* remain on Nakodojima.

 ![](https://acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/short-tailed_albatross_y01_mukojima_tomohiro_deguchi.jpg)

 Translocated Short-tailed Albatrosses on Mukojima, photograph by Tomohiro Deguchi

 With thanks to Tomohiro Deguchi, [Yamashina Institute for Ornithology](http://www.yamashina.or.jp/hp/english/) for information.

 *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 22 May 2014, updated 26 May 2014*