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Salvin's Albatross (Thalassarche salvini)

Salvin's Albatross is a large seabird that occurs at sea off Australia, including in south-east Australian waters. Its marine habitat is important, while its breeding colonies are on remote islands, mainly in New Zealand.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

South Australia, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: Vulnerable.

Western Australia, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Listed migratory. Listed migratory species are a matter of national environmental significance, so a significant impact needs referral.

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Listed marine. A listed marine species under Part 13 of the EPBC Act. Killing, injuring, taking or moving it in a Commonwealth area needs a permit.

Seasonal planning

Commonly occurs in south-east Australian waters during the breeding season, August to April.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • At-sea occurrence: Commonly occurs in south-east Australian waters during the breeding season, August to April.

Identification: Appearance

This medium-sized mollymawk is about 90 cm long, with a wingspan of about 2.56 m. Adults have a grey crown, face and upper throat, a grey-black back and upperwings, and white underparts with a black thumbmark on the underwing; the bill is pale yellowish with dusky sides and a black spot near the tip.

This medium-sized mollymawk is about 90 cm long, with a wingspan of about 2.56 m. Adults have a grey crown, face and upper throat, a grey-black back and upperwings, and white underparts with a black thumbmark on the underwing; the bill is pale yellowish with dusky sides and a black spot near the tip.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

At sea, its range extends west to Australia and east across the Pacific to South America. It commonly occurs around coastal New Zealand and in south-east Australian waters during the breeding season, with non-breeding birds usually migrating towards Peru and Chile.

At sea, its range extends west to Australia and east across the Pacific to South America. It commonly occurs around coastal New Zealand and in south-east Australian waters during the breeding season, with non-breeding birds usually migrating towards Peru and Chile.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

In Australia, Salvin's Albatross is encountered at sea. Its breeding habitat is mainly exposed rocky surfaces on small islands, where it builds pedestal nests.

In Australia, Salvin's Albatross is encountered at sea. Its breeding habitat is mainly exposed rocky surfaces on small islands, where it builds pedestal nests.

Foraging habitat: Diet

It feeds mainly on fish and cephalopods. A recorded bird on the Patagonian Shelf was observed eating fishery discards.

It feeds mainly on fish and cephalopods. A recorded bird on the Patagonian Shelf was observed eating fishery discards.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

It breeds colonially, mainly on the Bounty Islands and the Western Chain of the Snares Islands, with breeding also recorded at several other island sites. A single egg is laid in September and incubated by both parents until early November; chicks fledge after about four months.

It breeds colonially, mainly on the Bounty Islands and the Western Chain of the Snares Islands, with breeding also recorded at several other island sites. A single egg is laid in September and incubated by both parents until early November; chicks fledge after about four months.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Threats: Threats

Longline fisheries and trawlers cause deaths, with trawlers responsible for more than half of the reported fishing-related deaths. Birds have also been recorded feeding on fishery discards around fishing vessels.

Longline fisheries and trawlers cause deaths, with trawlers responsible for more than half of the reported fishing-related deaths. Birds have also been recorded feeding on fishery discards around fishing vessels.

Threats: Works risk

Longline fishing and trawling can kill individuals. Vessel-based fishing activity may also bring birds into contact with fishery discards.

Survey methodology: 1. Species-specific methods

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

Distribution information is based largely on at-sea observations and recoveries from fishing vessels. Sightings at sea are also used to document its presence.

Survey methodology: 2. Commonwealth guidance

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the survey guidelines for Australia's threatened birds, read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 3. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Plan in-water works, vessel movements and lighting to avoid known habitat and sensitive periods, and set observer and shutdown procedures before works start.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Use spotters and exclusion zones for in-water works and vessels, and pause works if the species is seen within the zone.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Remove temporary structures, restore natural flow and substrate, and monitor water quality until it returns to baseline.

Sources