birding-aus

birding-aus re: Amsterdam Albatross off Wollongong

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Subject: birding-aus re: Amsterdam Albatross off Wollongong
From: palliser <>
Date: Tue, 05 Oct 1999 22:41:14 +1000
A little more information about the Amsterdam Albatross claim off Wollongong.

Amsterdam Albatross Diomedea amsterdamensis was first described in 1983
(Roux et al).  A species superficially similar to other brown plumaged
Wandering Albatross and particularly the race antipodensis (proposed new
species).  Adult birds have a dark brown crown, hindneck, mantle, back tail
and wings.  (to get more of an idea take a look at
http://www.zip.com.au/~palliser/imgd001.html).  Apart from biometrics the
only apparent diagnostic features include a dark cutting edge to the bill
rather like that of a Royal Albatross D epomophora and a dark somewhat
greenish tip to the maxillary and mandibular unguis.  Other than that
information is rather sketchy.  Enticott and Tipling state that
amsterdamensis has "more extensive brown on the leading edge, and possibly
a wider dark trailing edge to the underwing".  Size is similar to
antipodensis making it one of the smaller 'Wandering' types - not that much
larger than some Shy Albatross D cauta cauta.

Circumstances behind the Wollongong record are somewhat embarrassing -
firstly the bird was behind the boat for up to hour at extreme close range,
with no one on board noticing the dark cutting edge to the bill or the
greenish tip to the ungues (we really should have been more alert than
this).  It was assumed that the bird was 'antipodensis' by everyone until
it was captured and brought aboard.  Then of course the dark cutting edge
and the greenish tip to both the upper and lower portions of ungues became
immediately obvious and cause for some concern.  The bird was measured,
banded and a few photographs taken, so all being well (fingers crossed) I
may be able to post a few pictures on the web next week or soon thereafter.

The most staggering aspect to this record is that it will (if accepted) be
the first confirmed away from the breeding grounds, although it has been
suspected that this species wanders towards Australasia since it was first
described.  There is a report of a bird captured on a long-line fishing
trawler off Tasmania some years back, but nothing came of this.  Does
anyone have any information?  Even more amazing, estimations are that there
are as few as 70 individuals are in existence which includes 15-19 breeding
pairs, so when you take into account the size of the Southern Ocean a
chance record off Wollongong when birders just happen to be at the right
spot and the right time is quite remarkable and most fortunate for those on
board.

Hope this helps to answer your questions

Best Regards 
Tony Palliser










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