Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross
Thalassarche carteri
Number Of Mature
Individuals (Regional)
14 000
Regional
Population Trend
Decreasing
2025
Regional Category
Endangered
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CONTENTSOverview
Names
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IOC English Name: |
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross |
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SA & IOC Scientific Name: |
Thalassarche carteri |
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BirdLife International Taxonomy (scientific name): |
Thalassarche carteri |
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Order: |
PROCELLARIIFORMES |
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Family: |
Diomedeidae |
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Species name author: |
Rothschild 1903 |
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Afrikaans: |
Indiese Geelneusalbatros |
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Sesotho (South Africa): |
Masikaledikepe wa nkosehla wa Botjhabela |
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Sesotho (Lesotho): |
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Siswati: |
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Zulu: |
unozulanyana waseMpumalanga |
Current Assessment Status
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2025 Regional Category [Criteria] |
EN [B2ab(v)] |
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2024 Global Category [Criteria] |
EN [A4bde] |
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Population size (Regional) |
c. 7000 pairs |
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Population size (Global) |
82 000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2018) |
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Distribution size (EOO) (Regional) km2 |
c. 45 (breeding), 2.4 million (foraging range of breeding adults, Makhado et al. 2018) |
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Distribution size (EOO) (Global) km2 |
43 600 000 (breeding/resident) |
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Distribution size (AOO) (Regional) km2 |
1 (nesting colony), 45 (size of breeding island) |
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Generation time |
23.67 years (BirdLife International 2023) |
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Status change reason |
No change |
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Migrant (in the region) |
Native, breeding and non-breeding visitor |
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Regional endemic |
No |
Historic Listing Information
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2000 Regional Status |
VU [A1a+2d] |
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2015 Regional Status |
EN [A4bde; B1ab(v)+2ab(v); D] |
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Status change reason (if applicable) |
Genuine (recent) |
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2015 Population size (Regional) |
c. 7000 breeding pairs |
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2015 Global Status |
EN [A4bde; B1ab(v)+2ab(v)] |
Reason for Inclusion
Reason for Inclusion in the Assessment
The species breeds on Prince Edward Island and was listed as regionally Endangered in 2015 (Taylor 2015) and globally Endangered in 2018 (BirdLife International 2018).
Category Justification
Category Justification
The regional population of Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche carteri breeds at only one locality, on the northern side of Prince Edward Island, and has an Area of Occupancy of c. 1 km2 (taken as that specifically used for nesting) or 45 km2 (taken as the size of the island). Hence, it qualifies for classification as Vulnerable (VU) in terms of Criterion D2. In 2015, the population was classified as Endangered following the global status with a decrease in the number of mature individuals inferred from an ongoing decrease in the global population (Taylor 2015). If such an inference is valid, and at-sea threats, such as bycatch mortality in fisheries, apply across the species’ range (ACAP 2009), the regional population meets criterion B2ab(v) for listing as Critically Endangered (CR). It is noted that breeding Extent of Occurrence also satisfies Criterion B1ab(iii), but for consistency with other Prince Edward Island breeding species assessments, that is not invoked in this case. Given breeding populations elsewhere, a rescue effect is possible. Consequently, until updated information on the population at Prince Edward Island is obtained, it is recommended that the classification of Endangered B2ab(v) (intermediate between determinations of VU D2 and CR B2ab(v)) be retained.
Population Justification
In 2023, the overall global population was estimated at 41 086 pairs, which equated to c. 82 000 mature individuals (ACAP 2009, BirdLife International 2018). The most recent estimate of numbers breeding at Prince Edward Island was of 7000 pairs in 2008 (Ryan et al. 2009), which was roughly 17% of the species’ overall population.
Trend Justification
The population at Amsterdam Island decreased by c. 1.3% p.a. between 1982 and 2006 (BirdLife International 2018). Based on this decrease and assuming stability elsewhere, the global population was thought to have decreased by 51% over three generations (71 years, G = 23.67 years, BirdLife International 2018). At Prince Edward Island, 4870 pairs were counted in 2001, a value that was thought to be within 10% of actual numbers breeding (Ryan et al. 2003). The albatrosses were brooding or guarding small to medium-sized chicks. Assuming a breeding success to that stage of 65% (Jouventin et al. 1983), the breeding population at the island was thought to be c. 7500 pairs (Ryan et al. 2003). In December 2008, 5234 pairs were counted at Prince Edward Island and the breeding population was estimated as 7000 pairs, with acknowledgement of uncertainty arising from backward extrapolation to the commencement of breeding in the austral spring (Ryan et al. 2009). More counts are needed to calculate a trend.
Biology & Ecology
Taxonomy
The genus Thalassarche was re-erected in the 1990s following a major taxonomic revision of albatrosses, which saw the large, white-backed albatrosses retained in the genus Diomedea and the smaller, dark-backed ‘mollymawk’ albatrosses placed in Thalassarche (Nunn et al. 1996). This revision recognised the Atlantic T. chlororhynchos and Indian forms T. carteri of yellow-nosed albatrosses as separate species.
Identification
75–80 cm, 2.55 kg. Sexes alike. The smallest black-and-white albatross. Adult has very pale grey or white head and nape leading into dark grey mantle, upper-wing and tail. Rump white. Underparts white, with white underwing featuring a black tip and narrow margin at leading edge. Bill is black with yellow upper ridge and reddish tip. Juvenile has a white head and black bill (Ryan 2005).
Distribution
The species breeds at French (Amsterdam, St Paul, Crozet and Kerguelen) and South African (Prince Edward) islands in the sub-Antarctic, West Indian Ocean (Ryan 2005). From these islands individuals disperse widely across the Southern Indian Ocean and moves marginally into the east Atlantic and west Pacific oceans (BirdLife International 2018). Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses are common off the south and east coasts of South Africa, but rarely venture north of 20˚S (Taylor 2015). Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatrosses from Gough Island and Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses from Prince Edward Island and Amsterdam Island largely partition their foraging grounds when breeding (Makhado et al. 2018).
Ecology
The Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross nests colonially and is an annual breeder, with each breeding cycle lasting about eight months (ACAP 2009). It occurs singly or in groups at sea but readily joins aggregations of seabirds at fishing vessels (Ryan 2005). Their feeding behaviour is characterised by surface-seizing and shallow dives. A wide variety of fish and squids are taken, with crustaceans also being eaten (ACAP 2009). On average, adult survival was around 88%, which is lower than for most other albatrosses (Veran et al. 2007). However, measured breeding success and juvenile survival were low, ranges of seasonal averages being 14–25% and 15–46%, respectively (ACAP 2009).
Threats & Conservation
Threats
On account of the colony’s inaccessible nature, Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses have seldom been studied at Prince Edward Island, which has no introduced predators (Taylor 2015). Disease killed chicks and adults at Amsterdam Island (Weimerskirch 2004, ACAP 2009) and was recorded in penguins at Marion Island, in the Prince Edward Islands group (Cooper et al. 2009). Threats at sea are primarily from bycatch in tuna longline fishing as well as through being drowned when accidentally entangled in cables in demersal trawl fishing (Watkins et al. 2008, Maree et al. 2014). Ingestion of plastic litter is a potential threat to the species (Taylor 2015), as are oil spills.
Conservation Measures Underway
The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources has implemented measures to prevent accidental mortality of birds during longline fishing operations for toothfish. BirdLife South Africa’s Albatross Task Force researched new technologies to reduce incidental mortality, particularly in tuna longline fisheries, which threaten this species and other seabirds. It also supported the construction and distribution of devices such as Bird Scaring Lines for domestic fishing vessels and foreign fleets that visit Cape Town harbour. BirdLife International is actively lobbying regional fisheries management organisations to improve bycatch data collection and reporting on how longline fishing vessels are implementing conservation measures required in various oceans. It is also supporting efforts to train fleets in use of best-practice seabird bycatch mitigation measures. The Prince Edward Islands are listed as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and as a Special Nature Reserve under South Africa’s Environment Conservation Act (No 73 of 1989). They are managed under the Prince Edward Islands Management Plan, 2010. In addition, the species is protected under the Sea Birds and Seals Protection Act, 1973 (Act No. 46 of 1973), the Marine Living Resources Act (Act No. 18 of 1998): Policy on the Management of Seals, Seabirds and Shorebirds, 2007, and South Africa’s National Plan of Action (NPOA) for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries, 2008.
Conservation Measures Proposed
Ongoing efforts by BirdLife South Africa and BirdLife International to improve relationships with pelagic longline fishing operations and reduce incidental mortality of seabirds should be supported and extended to distant-water fishing nations operating in the Southern Ocean. The South African Government should promote international best-practice for reducing seabird bycatch mortality through fora such as the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, including by acceding to best-practice agreements. Regional and national observer programmes and reporting of their data are important in understanding the scale of incidental mortality and potential effectiveness of (and level of compliance with) mitigation measures employed. Programmes to census the sub-population of the Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross at Prince Edward Island more regularly (possibly through visits and aerial photography) and to track more birds, to assess the degree of overlap with various fisheries year-round, are important for assessing and addressing the ongoing threats to the albatrosses.
Research Priorities and Questions
- An updated assessment of numbers breeding at Prince Edward Island is required, together with monitoring of numbers breeding there.
- Information on demographic parameters, factors causing reproductive failure and possible occurrence of disease for birds breeding at Prince Edward Island is needed.
- The extent of overlap between Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses breeding at Prince Edward Island and tuna longline fishing effort in the southwest Indian Ocean needs investigation.
- Information on the at-sea distribution of juvenile and immature birds from Prince Edward Island should be obtained. The possibility exists that young birds move farther north than adults, into waters where seabird bycatch mitigation measures are not required by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission.
- The extent to which trawl fishing at sea-mounts in the southwest Indian Ocean may pose a risk to the albatrosses should be ascertained.
Contributors & References
Assessor/s
Pierre Pistorius
Reviewer/s
Azwianewi B Makhado, Robert JM Crawford
References
ACAP (Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels). 2009. ACAP Species assessments: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche carteri. Available: https://www.acap.aq/resources/acap-species/295-indian-yellow-nosed-albatross/file. [Accessed 04 April 2023].
BirdLife International. 2018. Thalassarche carteri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22728372A132657962. Available: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22728372A132657962.en. [Accessed 04 April 2023].
Cooper J, Crawford RJM, de Villiers MS, Dyer BM, Hofmeyr GJG, Jonker A. 2009. Disease outbreaks among penguins at sub-Antarctic Marion Island: a conservation concern. Marine Ornithology 37: 193–196.
Makhado AB, Crawford RJM, Dias MP, Dyer BM, Lamont T, Pistorius P, Ryan PG, Upfold L, Weimerskirch H, Reisinger RR. 2018. Foraging behaviour and habitat use by adult Indian yellow-nosed albatrosses Thalassarche carteri breeding at Prince Edward Island. Emu – Austral Ornithology 118: 353–362.
Maree BM, Wanless RM, Fairweather TP, Sullivan BJ, Yates O. 2014. Significant reductions in mortality of threatened seabirds in a South African trawl fishery. Animal Conservation 17: 520–529.
Nunn GB, Cooper J, Jouventin P, Robertson CJR, Robertson GG. 1996. Evolutionary relationships among extant albatrosses (Procellariiformes: Diomedeidae) established from complete cytochrome-b gene sequences. Auk 113: 784–801.
Jouventin P, Roux J-P, Stahl J-C, Weimerskirch H. 1983. Biologie et frequence de reproduction chez l’albatros à bec jaune. Gerfaut 73: 161–171.
Ryan PG. 2005. Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross. In: Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ, Ryan PG (eds), Roberts Birds of Southern Africa, 7th Edn. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. pp 652.
Ryan PG, Cooper J, Dyer BM, Underhill LG, Crawford RJM, Bester MN. 2003. Counts of surface-nesting seabirds breeding at subantarctic Prince Edward Island, summer 2001/02. African Journal of Marine Science 25: 441–451.
Ryan PG, Jones MGW, Dyer BM, Upfold L, Crawford RJM. 2009. Recent population estimates and trends in numbers of albatrosses and giant petrels breeding at the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands. African Journal of Marine Science 31: 409–417.
Taylor MR. 2015. Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche carteri. In: Taylor MR, Wanless RM and Peacock F (eds), The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa. pp 83–85.
Veran S, Gimenez O, Flint E, Kendall WL, Doherty PF, Lebreton JD. 2007. Quantifying the impact of longline fisheries on adult survival in the black-footed albatross. Journal of Applied Ecology 44: 942–952.
Watkins BP, Petersen SL, Ryan PG. 2008. Interactions between seabirds and deep-water hake trawl gear: an assessment of impacts in South African waters. Animal Conservation 11: 247–254.
Weimerskirch H. 2004. Diseases threaten Southern Ocean albatrosses. Polar Biology 27: 374–379.
Citation
Pistorius P 2025. Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross. In: Lee ATK, Rose S, Banda S, Bezeng SB, Maphalala MI, Maphisa DH, Smit-Robinson H (eds), The 2025 Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini. Johannesburg, South Africa: BirdLife South Africa. Available at: https://www.birdlife.org.za/red-list/indian-yellow-nosed-albatross/
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