Identifying White Capped Albatross in Kaikōura
The White-Capped Albatross (also known as the white-capped mollymawk) is an impressive bird, weighing in between 3.5 and 4.5 kilograms when fully developed. It averages 90 to 99 cm in length, with a wingspan of 220 to 256 cm!
When out on your Kaikōura kayak tour, you can identify a white-capped albatross by their black upper wings and tipped tail, bold white cap (head) and neck, and a distinguishable pale silver gray face. Some adults have white backs with brown tipped feathers, or a dark gray mantle, adding to their distinctive appearance. The beak of these birds is of pale gray to blue complexion and has a distinct yellow tip at the end, which is a key identification feature.
Juvenile white-capped mollyhawks have a gray bill with a dark tip and a darker head, which helps distinguish them from adults.
White-capped Albatross Facts
- A New Zealand Native bird.
- BirdLife International and the IUCN recognize the white-capped albatross as having a Near Threatened conservation status and play a key role in its conservation assessment.
- Wingspans as large as 256cm.
- Largest size variation among albatross species.
- They spend at least 85% of their lives at sea and gliding on air currents.
- Like some other species of pelagic birds, white-capped albatross have a salt gland that excretes a high saline solution, allowing them to manage their salt intake from seawater.
Where do White Capped Albatross Live?
These birds are found along the New Zealand coastline and their breeding season takes place between the months of November and June. The breeding range of the white-capped albatross is restricted to a few small islands off the coast of New Zealand, making its breeding habitat much smaller than its overall range. Juvenile and non-breeding white-capped albatrosses are believed to forage in the southwestern Atlantic and off the coast of southwestern Africa. Most of these albatrosses stay in Australasian waters after their breeding season, with about 20% of adults migrating across the Indian ocean towards the Sea’s off South Africa and Namibia.
Population and Breeding:
The New Zealand White-capped Mollymawk breeds on a series of smaller islands surrounding NZ with the largest numbers breeding on Disappointment Island South west of New Zealand next to Auckland Island.
These birds breed in large densely packed colonies with nests made from mud and vegetation to provide shelter for their young and the large eggs are laid from early November to December.
White-capped Albatross Breeding and Population
The New Zealand White-capped Mollymawk breeds on a series of smaller islands surrounding NZ, with the largest numbers breeding on Disappointment Island southwest of New Zealand next to Auckland Island. The massive colony of white-capped albatross on Disappointment Island is a dominant feature of the island's landscape, and the sheer numbers comprise a significant portion of the global population.
The white-capped albatross has a breeding population of approximately 75,000 pairs and breeds annually. While some colonies, like Disappointment Island, are vast, there are also locations with a small breeding population, making conservation efforts in these areas especially important.
These birds breed in large densely packed colonies with nests made from mud and vegetation to provide shelter for their young and the large eggs are laid from early November to December.
What do White-capped Albatross Eat?
White-capped Mollymawks are surface feeders, primarily feeding on the ocean surface where they consume marine food such as fish, krill, squid, and offal from fishing vessels. It's rare to see these birds dive beneath the water to gather food. This species also produces an energy rich food source in the form of stomach oil, which is crucial for feeding chicks and maintaining energy during long flights.
Threats to the White-capped Albatross
- Fisheries bycatch is the main threat to white-capped mollymawk, with mollymawk being the most commonly observed Albatross killed by New Zealand Trawl fisheries between 2004 and 2007.
- The most significant mortality among this species occurs off South Africa, with an estimated 7,000 - 11,000 white-capped albatross killed annually by the South African Longline fisheries.
- Feral cats raiding the colony nests pose a large risk to eggs and hatchlings.
- Auckland Island feral pigs also pose a risk in breeding areas, where they eat albatross eggs and destroy nesting areas.
- Commercial fishing exploitation of squid in the Bass Strait may reduce the food supply for the white-capped albatross.
