| Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANIMALIA | CHORDATA | AVES | Procellariiformes | Diomedeidae |
| Scientific Name: | Diomedea amsterdamensis | |||
| Species Authority: | Roux et al. 1983 | |||
Common Name/s:
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| Red List Category & Criteria: | Critically Endangered B2ab(v); C2a(ii) ver 3.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Assessed: | 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assessor/s | BirdLife International | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Evaluator/s: | Bird, J., Butchart, S., Symes, A.(BirdLife International) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Justification: This species qualifies as Critically Endangered because it has an extremely small population, confined to a tiny area on one island. Although numbers have recently been increasing, a continuing decline is projected owing to the impact of a disease which is probably already causing chick mortality. |
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| History: |
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| Range Description: |
Diomedea amsterdamensis breeds on the Plateau des Tourbières on Amsterdam Island (French Southern Territories) in the southern Indian Ocean. It has a total population of c.130 birds including 80 mature individuals, with c.18-25 pairs breeding annually, showing an increase since 1984, when the first census was carried out4,8,11. The population was probably formerly larger when its range was more extensive over the slopes of the island8. During the breeding season, birds forage both around Amsterdam Island and up to 2,200 km away in subtropical waters9. Satellite tracking has recently shown that adult birds range from the coast of eastern South Africa to the south of western Australia in non-breeding years12, and possible sightings have been reported from Australia3 and New Zealand1.
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| Countries: |
Native:
French Southern Territories (the)
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| FAO Marine Fishing Areas: |
Native:
Indian Ocean – western; Indian Ocean – eastern
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| Range Map: |
(click map to view full version)
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| Population: |
The population on Amsterdam Island is estimated at c.130 birds in total, including 80 mature individuals, with c.18-25 pairs breeding annually.
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| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
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| Habitat and Ecology: |
Breeding is biennial (when successful) and is restricted to the central plateau of the island at 500-600 m, where only one breeding group is known. Pair-bonds are lifelong, and breeding begins in February12. Its exact diet is unknown, but probably consists of fish, squid and crustaceans5,6.
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| Systems: | Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): |
Degradation of breeding sites by introduced cattle has decreased the species's range and population across the island4. Human disturbance is presumably also to blame5. Introduced predators are a major threat, particularly feral cats4. Interactions with longline fisheries around the island, in the 1970s and early 1980s, could also have contributed to a decline in the population4. Today the population is threatened primarily by the potential spread of diseases (Avian cholera and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathidae) that affect the Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche carteri population 3 km from the colony. Infection risks are very high and increased chick mortality over recent years suggests the population is already affected10.
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| Conservation Actions: |
Conservation actions underway: ACAP Annex 1. All birds are banded and the population is censused and monitored every year7, and some birds have been fitted with satellite transmitters. In 1987 the number of cattle was reduced and a fence erected to seal off part of the island. In 1992 a second fence was erected with the aim of providing complete protection for the high plateau from possible incursions by cattle7. A resolution in June 2008 from the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission requiring long-line vessels to use preventative measures to avoid by-catch of seabirds may be important for this species12.
Prevent the spread of disease. Continue detailed monitoring of the population. Promote adoption of best-practice mitigation measures in all fisheries within the species's range, particularly via intergovernmental mechanisms such as ACAP, FAO and appropriate Regional Fisheries Management Organisations.
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| Citation: | BirdLife International 2009. Diomedea amsterdamensis. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2010. |
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