Northern Royal Albatrosses are hatching their eggs at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head

An incubating "Royal Cam" Northern Royal Albatross at Taiaroa Head; photograph by Sharyn Broni

Thirty-six pairs of globally Endangered Northern Royal Albatrosses Diomedea sanfordi laid eggs in the Pukekura/Taiaroa Head colony on the mainland of New Zealand’s South Island this 2021/22 season.  Chicks are now emerging, including the one that is being watched by the live-streaming ‘Royal Cam”.

The colony’s Department of Conservation Ranger, Sharyn Broni, writes “While this news is exciting and the colony is doing well, this species still faces plenty of challenges out in the wild.  The latest bird threat classification report, released in December, saw the northern royal albatross’ conservation status worsen to Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable.  The report says fisheries bycatch (primarily outside of New Zealand’s waters), and droughts or storm events associated with climate change, appear to be causing the decline.  It’s a reminder that we can help by taking steps to reduce our contribution to climate change, and to dispose of plastic carefully, as once it’s in the ocean albatross can mistake it for food.”

Last season 41 eggs laid in the colony at the tip of the Otago Peninsula resulted in a record 30 chicks successfully fledging.

Read more here.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 07 February 2022