Southern Royal Albatross
Diomedea epomophora
Number Of Mature
Individuals (Regional)
Unknown
Regional
Population Trend
Decreasing
2025
Regional Category
Vulnerable
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CONTENTSOverview
Names
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IOC English Name: |
Southern Royal Albatross |
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SA & IOC Scientific Name: |
Diomedea epomophora |
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BirdLife International Taxonomy (scientific name): |
Diomedea epomophora |
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Order: |
PROCELLARIIFORMES |
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Family: |
Diomedeidae |
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Species name author: |
Lesson R 1825 |
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Afrikaans: |
Witvlerkkoningalbatros |
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Sesotho (South Africa): |
Masikaledikepe wa kgosi wa Borwa |
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Sesotho (Lesotho): |
|
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Siswati: |
|
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Zulu: |
unozulane waseNingizimu |
Current Assessment Status
|
2025 Regional Category [Criteria] |
VU [Follows Global Status] |
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2024 Global Category [Criteria] |
VU [D2] (BirdLife International 2018) |
|
Population size (Regional) |
Unknown |
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Population size (Global) |
27 200 mature individuals (Birdlife International 2018) |
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Distribution size (EOO) (Regional) km2 |
Unknown |
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Distribution size (EOO) (Global) km2 |
98 600 000 (breeding) |
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Distribution size (AOO) (Regional) km2 |
Unknown |
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Generation time |
42.3 years (Birdlife International 2018) |
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Status change reason |
No Change |
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Migrant (in the region) |
Non-breeding visitor |
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Regional endemic |
Yes |
Historic Listing Information
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2000 Regional Status |
Not assessed |
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2015 Regional Status |
VU [D2] |
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Status change reason (if applicable) |
Not assessed in 2000 |
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2015 Population size |
c. 27 500 individuals (Global) |
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2015 Global Status |
VU [D2] |
Reason for Inclusion
Reason for Inclusion in the Assessment
The species is currently listed as globally Vulnerable and occurs regularly in South African waters, although the number is unknown.
Category Justification
Category Justification
The global population of Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora is listed as globally Vulnerable under Criterion D2 due to its small breeding range outside of the region and limited number of breeding sites which puts it at risk from stochastic effects. This species occurs regularly but in low numbers in South African territorial waters. The global threat status is also adopted as the regional status.
Population Justification
The most recent global population estimate is 27 200 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2018). There have been no published updates and the size of the regional visiting population has not been estimated.
Trend Justification
The global population trend is stable (BirdLife International 2018), and the regional population trend has not been estimated.
Biology & Ecology
Taxonomy
There has been substantial debate regarding the taxonomy of this species-complex. The taxon was until recently treated as the nominate subspecies of the Royal Albatross i.e. Diomedea epomophora epomophora (Ryan 2005). Subsequently D. epomophora (Sibley and Monroe 1990) has been split into D. epomophora and D. sanfordi following Robertson and Nunn (1998) and Brooke (2004), based on morphological, plumage and genetic differences. This remains unchanged in 2023.
Identification
107–122 cm, 7–11 kg. Sexes alike. A very large, white-backed albatross with a white head, body and tail. Flight feathers black with upperwing and coverts become increasingly white with age. Bill light pink with a black cutting edge on upper mandible. Eyes dark brown. Legs flesh-coloured. Juvenile has a white head, neck, upper mantle, rump and under- parts. The white mantle is flecked black. Dark black-brown underwing with flecks on the coverts and white leading edge. Tail and back gradually whiten with age, starting at the leading edge near the shoulder (Ryan 2005).
Distribution
The Southern Royal Albatross is a New Zealand breeding endemic, with colonies present on Campbell Island (99% of the population) and the Auckland Islands. Juveniles leaving colonies in New Zealand rapidly head eastwards to the west coast of South America (Maree 2015).
Ecology
The Southern Royal Albatross is a biennial breeder provided it is successful in rearing the single chick. Birds return to their colonies in October (Brooke 2004) and lay eggs in late November and December (Waugh et al. 1997). Immature birds first return to their colonies at c. 5 years of age (Marchant and Higgins 1990) and their first breeding attempt occurs between 6–12 years of age (Childerhouse et al. 2003). The diet of the Southern Royal Albatross consists of primarily cephalopods, fish and tunicates (mostly of the family Salpidae) which is known from regurgitations of fledglings and adults on Campbell Island from 1974-177 and 1990-1997 (Imber 1999). This species obtains its prey from scavenging on dying or moribund prey from fishing vessels and to a lesser extent by active predation (Imber 1999).
Additional Information on identification, distribution, ecology, and global conservation parameters can be found at http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/southern-royal-albatross-diomedea-epomophora and https://www.acap.aq/resources/acap-species/300-southern-royal-albatross/file.
Threats & Conservation
Threats
Fisheries-related mortality (Petersen et al. 2009) is the only threat that has been recorded in the region. However, the current extent of this threat is unknown.
Conservation Measures Underway
Within the region, the species is protected under the Sea Birds and Seals Protection Act, 1973 (Act No. 46 of 1973), Marine Living Resources Act (Act No. 18 of 1998): Publication of Policy on the Management of Seals, Seabirds and Shorebirds: 2007 and the National Plan of Action (NPOA) for Reducing the Incidental Catch of Seabirds in Longline Fisheries 2008. The species is also listed in the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels – Annex 1, and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals – Appendix II. BirdLife South Africa’s Albatross Task Force is working to reduce fisheries bycatch in local trawl and longline fisheries.
Conservation Measures Proposed
The establishment of observer programmes to monitor bycatch and effectiveness of bycatch mitigation measures is essential. The extension of mandatory seabird bycatch mitigation measures to distant water fleets/high seas fisheries is required. Finally, it should be ensured that all necessary countries have a plan of action for seabirds which is enforced and updated regularly.
Research Priorities and Questions
- The diet, movements, distribution, and number of birds occurring in the region requires further research.
- Greater understanding of the overlap of fishing operations and the extent of bycatch of Southern Royal Albatross on the high seas and in waters around southern Africa are urgently needed.
Contributors & References
Assessor/s
Shamiso Banda
Reviewer/s
Richard Phillips
References
BirdLife International. 2018. Diomedea epomophora. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22698314A132641187. Available: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22698314A132641187.en. [Accessed on 13 April 2023].
Brooke MD. 2004. Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World (Bird Families of the World). Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
Childerhouse S, Robertson C, Hockly W, Gibbs N. 2003. Royal albatross (Diomedea epomophora) on Enderby Island, Auckland Islands. Wellington, New Zealand: Department of Conservation.
Imber MJ. 1999. Diet and feeding ecology of the Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora – king of the shelf break and inner slope. Emu 99:200–211.
Maree B. 2015. Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora. In: Taylor MR, Peacock F, Wanless RM (eds), The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa. pp 205–206.
Marchant S, Higgins PJ. 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume I: Ratites to Ducks. Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press.
Petersen SL, Honig MB, Ryan PG, Underhill LG. 2009. Seabird bycatch in the pelagic longline fishery off southern Africa. African Journal of Marine Science 31: 191–204.
Robertson CJR, Nunn GB. 1998. Towards a new taxonomy for albatrosses. In: Robertson CJR, Gales R (eds), Albatross Biology and Conservation. Chipping Norton, Australia: Surrey Beatty and Sons. pp 13–19.
Ryan PG. 2005. Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora. In: Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ, Ryan PG (eds), Roberts – Birds of Southern Africa, 7th Edn. Cape Town, South Africa: The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. pp 643–644.
Sibley C, Monroe B. 1990. Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World. Yale University Press, New Haven.
Waugh SM, Sagar PM, Paull D. 1997. Laying dates, breeding success and annual breeding of southern royal albatrosses Diomedea epomophora epomophora at Campbell Island during 1964–69. Emu 97: 194–199.
Citation
Banda S 2025. Southern Royal 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/southern-royal-albatross/
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