Biology

As with other albatross species, fidelity to partners and to the breeding colony is high (7). These albatross have a slow reproductive rate, producing just one egg every two years (3) (8). Egg-laying occurs from December to February, and the chick fledges the following November to February (8). Young birds return to the islands after three to four years (four to five years old) and usually first breed at eight years of age, but some breed as young as six (7). This albatross feeds in the open ocean on fish, squid and crustaceans (5), and probably follows ships and trawlers for offal and galley refuse (2).