Breeding biology and current status of the Amsterdam Island Albatross Diomedea amsterdamensis

Abstract

A small population of the ‘Great Albatrosses’ has been discovered on Amsterdam Island (Indian Ocean) and described in 1983 as a new species: Diomedea amsterdamensis (Roux et al. 1983). We present here data on the biometry, plumage variability and preliminary results of a long‐term study on the breeding cycle and population dynamics of this relict population. The current population is estimated at 65 birds including 21 breeding pairs.