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White-capped Albatross (Thalassarche steadi)

The White-capped Albatross is a large albatross that breeds on New Zealand’s subantarctic islands and occurs in Australian waters, including the Tasman Sea and seas around Tasmania. At sea, continental shelf and shelf-break waters are relevant habitat.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: 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

During the November to June breeding season, birds occur across the Tasman Sea to south-east Australian waters.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • Breeding-season occurrence: During the November to June breeding season, birds occur across the Tasman Sea to south-east Australian waters.

Identification: Appearance

This large albatross has a bold white cap, a pale silver-grey face, a darker brow, a dark grey mantle and a black tail. Most of its body is white, and its pale grey to blue bill has a yellow tip.

This large albatross has a bold white cap, a pale silver-grey face, a darker brow, a dark grey mantle and a black tail. Most of its body is white, and its pale grey to blue bill has a yellow 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

The species breeds on New Zealand’s subantarctic islands, with most birds breeding on Disappointment Island. During the breeding season it also occurs across the Tasman Sea to south-east Australian waters, and non-breeding birds range through southern Australian waters.

The species breeds on New Zealand’s subantarctic islands, with most birds breeding on Disappointment Island. During the breeding season it also occurs across the Tasman Sea to south-east Australian waters, and non-breeding birds range through southern Australian waters.

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

The White-capped Albatross is a pelagic seabird of the Southern Ocean. It occurs over continental shelf and shelf-break waters and can be found closer inshore than some other albatrosses.

The White-capped Albatross is a pelagic seabird of the Southern Ocean. It occurs over continental shelf and shelf-break waters and can be found closer inshore than some other albatrosses.

Foraging habitat: Diet

It feeds at the surface and may make shallow dives. Its food includes fish, cephalopods, tunicates and crustaceans.

It feeds at the surface and may make shallow dives. Its food includes fish, cephalopods, tunicates and crustaceans.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

It breeds on small islands, including the Auckland, Antipodes and occasionally Chatham Islands in New Zealand. It is regarded as a biennial breeder.

It breeds on small islands, including the Auckland, Antipodes and occasionally Chatham Islands in New Zealand. It is regarded as a biennial breeder.

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 and trawl fisheries can kill White-capped Albatrosses as bycatch. Invasive non-native species are also identified as a threat on breeding islands.

Longline and trawl fisheries can kill White-capped Albatrosses as bycatch. Invasive non-native species are also identified as a threat on breeding islands.

Threats: Works risk

Longline and trawl fishing can cause bycatch of this species.

Survey methodology: 1. Species-specific methods

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

Land-based monitoring has documented nesting birds. DNA analysis has also been used to confirm the identity of an individual White-capped Albatross.

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