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'{{Taxobox | status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{IUCN|id=22698335 |title=''Phoebastria albatrus'' |assessors=[[BirdLife International]] |version=2013.2 |year=2012 |accessdate=26 November 2013}}</ref> | image =Short tailed Albatross1.jpg | image_width = 300px | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[bird|Aves]] | ordo = [[Procellariiformes]] | familia = [[Albatross|Diomedeidae]] | genus = '' [[Phoebastria]] '' | species = '''''P. albatrus''''' | binomial = ''Phoebastria albatrus'' | binomial_authority = ([[Peter Simon Pallas|Pallas]], 1769)<ref>Brands, S. (2008)</ref> | synonyms = ''Diomedea albatrus''<ref name="AOU">American Ornithologists' Union</ref> }} The '''short-tailed albatross''' or '''Steller's albatross''' (''Phoebastria albatrus'') is a large rare [[seabird]] from the [[North Pacific]]. Although related to the other North Pacific [[albatross]]es, it also exhibits behavioural and morphological links to the albatrosses of the [[Southern Ocean]]. It was described by the [[Germany|German]] [[Natural history|naturalist]] [[Peter Simon Pallas]] from skins collected by the [[Georg Wilhelm Steller]] (after whom its other common name is derived). Once common, it was brought to the edge of [[extinction]] by the trade in [[feather]]s, but with protection has recently made a recovery. ==Taxonomy== Short-tailed albatrosses are a type of albatross that belong to the [[Diomedeidae]] family, order [[Procellariiformes]], along with [[shearwater]]s, [[fulmar]]s, [[storm petrel]]s, and [[diving petrel]]s. They share certain identifying features. First, they have nasal passages that attach to the upper bill called [[naricorns]]. Although the nostrils on the albatross are on the sides of the bill. The bills of Procellariiformes are also unique in that they are split into between seven and nine horny plates. Finally, they produce a [[stomach oil]] made up of [[wax ester]]s and [[triglycerides]] that is stored in the [[proventriculus]]. This is used against predators as well as an energy rich food source for chicks and for the adults during their long flights.<ref>Double, M. C. (2003)</ref> They also have a salt gland which is situated above the nasal passage helping desalinate their bodies, as an adaptation to the high amount of ocean water they imbibe. It excretes a high saline solution from their nose.<ref>Ehrlich, Paul R. (1988)</ref> Going back in time, [[fossil]]s of albatrosses from the mid-[[Pleistocene]] in [[Bermuda]] and [[North Carolina]] are considered to be closest to the short-tailed albatross.{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}} ==Description== The short-tailed albatross is a medium sized albatross, with a wingspan of {{convert|215|to(-)|230|cm|in|abbr=on}},<ref name="Dunn">Dunn, J. L. & Alderfer, J. (2006)</ref> a length of {{convert|84|to(-)|94|cm|in|abbr=on}}<ref>http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/birds/Phoebastria_albatrus/more_info.html?section=factsAndStatus</ref><ref>http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/CW69-14-362-2004E.pdf</ref> and a body weight that can be {{convert|4.3|to(-)|8.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. Among standard measurements, the bill is {{convert|12.7|-|15.2|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, the tail is {{convert|14|-|15.2|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, the [[Tarsus (skeleton)|tarsus]] around {{convert|10|cm|in|abbr=on}} and the wing chord {{convert|51|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=qrHwAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA1024&lpg=PA1024&dq=Short-tailed+Albatross+tarsus&source=bl&ots=6RSwcyhI7J&sig=yq4pOIX_857BGZ-Wck2FdixEEhA&hl=en#v=onepage&q=Short-tailed%20Albatross&f=false|Key to North American Species]</ref> Its [[plumage]] as an adult is overall white with black flight feathers, some coverts, as well as a black terminal bar on its tail. It has a yellow-stained [[nape]] and [[crown (anatomy)|crown]]. Its [[beak|bill]] is large and pink; however, older birds will gain a blue tip. The juveniles are an all-over brown colour, and they will whiten as they mature,<ref name="BLI">BirdLife International (2008)</ref> in about 10 to 20 years.<ref name="Sibley">Sibley, D. A. (2000)</ref><ref name="Floyd">Floyd, T. (2008)</ref> It can be distinguished from the other two species of albatross in its range, the [[Laysan albatross]] and the [[black-footed albatross]] by its larger size and its pink bill (with a bluish tip), as well as details of its [[plumage]]. Contrary to its name its tail is no shorter than that of the Laysan or black-footed, and is actually longer than that of the other member of the [[genus]] ''[[Phoebastria]]'', the [[waved albatross]]. ==Range and habitat== [[File:Phoebastria albatrus -Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaiian archipelago, USA -juvenile-8.jpg|right|thumb|A chick just before it left the Hawaiian archipelago]] Short-tailed albatrosses now nest on four islands, with the majority of birds nesting on [[Torishima (Izu Islands)|Torishima]], and almost all of the rest on [[Minami-kojima#Nan Xiaodao.2FMinami Kojima|Minami-kojima]] in the [[Senkaku Islands]]. A female-female pair began nesting on [[Kure Atoll|Kure]] in the late 2000s, but to date they have not produced a viable egg. A chick hatched on 14 January 2011 on [[Midway Atoll|Midway]]. Both Midway and Kure are in the [[Northwestern Hawaiian Islands]].<ref name="AP">{{cite web|title=Nest of endangered albatross found in Hawaii.|url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/111564534.html|author= Associated Press|accessdate=8 December 2010}}</ref> In 2012 a pair began incubating an egg on Muko-jima, in the [[Bonin Islands]], Japan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Prospect for revival of albatross|url=http://www.yamashina.or.jp/hp/yomimono/albatross/ahou_mokuji.html|author=Yamashina Institute for Ornithology|accessdate=5 December 2012|language=Japanese}}</ref> During non-breeding season they range across the North [[Pacific]], with the males and juveniles gathering in the [[Bering Sea]], and the females feeding off the coast of [[Japan]] and eastern [[Russia]].<ref name="BLI"/> They can also be found as far east as [[California]]. In fact, the short-tailed albatross is seen on a number of the United States' state endangered species lists including [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington]].<ref>{{cite web |title= Westport Seabirds Pelagic Trips - 2001 Trip Results |url= http://www.westportseabirds.com/2001.html |accessdate= 6 March 2010}}</ref> The species has been [[extirpated]] as a breeder from [[Kita-no-shima]], [[Enewetak Atoll]], [[Kobishi]], and the [[Bonin Islands]] ([[Nishino-shima Island|Nishino Shima]], [[Yomejima]], and (until recently) [[Mukojima]]).<ref name="AOU"/> ==Behaviour== ===Feeding=== The short-tailed albatross feeds mainly on [[squid]] or dick, but will follow ships for their discarded [[offal]].<ref name="BLI"/> ===Reproduction=== This albatross historically preferred to nest on large open areas near stands of the grass, ''[[Miscanthus sinensis]]''.<ref name="BLI"/> ==Conservation== {|class="wikitable" style="float: right;" |+'''Breeding population and trends'''<ref name="BLI"/> |- ! Breeding location !! Breeding pairs !! Trend |- |[[Torishima]] || 1,922 adults || up from 25 since 1954 |- |[[Minami-kojima#Nan Xiaodao.2FMinami Kojima|Minami-kojima]] || 442 || Unknown |- |'''Total''' || '''2,364''' ||'''79% increase over 76 years''' |} [[File:Phoebastria albatrus -Mukojima Island, Japan -juvenile-8.jpg|right|thumb|One of several chicks translocated to Muko-jima Island, Japan]] The [[IUCN]] classifies this species as [[vulnerable species|vulnerable]],<ref name=IUCN/> with an occurrence range of {{convert|34800000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and a breeding range of {{convert|9|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}. The short-tailed albatross came perilously close to [[extinction]]. They were [[Hunting|hunted]] on an almost industrial scale for their feathers in the later half of the 19th century, with some estimates claiming upward of 10 million birds hunted. By the 1930s the only population left was on Torishima, between 1927 and until 1933 hunting continued when the Japanese government declared the ban of hunting to save the [[species]], after which the albatrosses stopped breeding on the island. At this point the species was assumed to be extinct and research became impossible with the outbreak of [[World War II]]. On 1949 an American researcher arriving on this island declared the species to be extinct, but an estimated 50 individuals, most likely juveniles, survived at sea (all albatross species take a long time to reach sexual maturity and will not return to their natal colony for many years). After the return of the birds they were more carefully protected, and the first egg was laid by the returning birds in 1954. Varieties of albatross decoys were placed around on the island after it was discovered that like other albatross species, this species also were enticed to breed if placed in a group.{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}} Today, [[longline fishing|longline]] fisheries, and [[volcano|volcanic eruptions]] on [[Torishima]] are the largest threats; however, introduced predators, environmental contaminants, soil instability, and extreme weather are also threats. There are many measures underway to protect this species. [[Japan]], [[Canada]], and the United States list this bird as a [[protected species]]. [[Torishima]] is a National Wildlife Protection Area, and native plant species are being transplanted to assist in nesting. Also, most commercial [[longline fishing|longline]] fisheries use [[bycatch]] mitigation devices.<ref name="BLI"/> ==See also== *[[List of Special Places of Scenic Beauty, Special Historic Sites and Special Natural Monuments]] ==Footnotes== {{reflist}} <!-- See also: http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/cwcs/files/NAAT%20final%20CWCS/Chapters/Terrestrial%20Fact%20Sheets/Seabirds/short-tailed%20albatross%20NAAT%20final%20!.pdf --> == References == * {{cite book |last1=American Ornithologists' Union|first1= |authorlink1=American Ornithologists' Union |last2= |first2= |editor1-first= |editor1-last= |editor1-link= |others= |title=Check-list of North American Birds |url=http://www.aou.org/checklist/north/pdf/AOUchecklistTin-Falcon.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate= |edition=7th |series= |volume= |date= |year= 1998|month= |origyear=1983 |publisher=American Ornithologists' Union .|location=Washington, D.C. |language= |isbn=1-891276-00-X |oclc= |doi= |id= |page=12 . |pages= |chapter= Procellariiformes: Diomedeidae: Albatrosses|chapterurl= |quote= |ref= |bibcode= |laysummary= |laydate= |separator= |postscript= |lastauthoramp=}} * {{cite web| url=http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3956&m=0 | title=Short-tailed Albatross - BirdLife Species Factsheet | accessdate=10 Mar 2009 | author=BirdLife International | year=2008| work=Data Zone}} * {{cite web| url= http://www.taxonomy.nl/Main/Classification/101893.htm| title=Systema Naturae 2000 / Classification - Diomedea subg. Phoebastria - | accessdate=22 Feb 2009 |last=Brands | first=Sheila | authorlink= | date=14 Aug 2008 | work=Project: The Taxonomicon }} * {{cite book |last1=Brooke |first1=M. |authorlink1= |last2= |first2= |editor1-first= |editor1-last= |editor1-link= |others= |title=Albatrosses And Petrels Across The World |url= |format= |accessdate= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year=2004 |month= |origyear= |publisher= Oxford University Press|location=Oxford, UK |language= |isbn=0-19-850125-0 |chapter= Procellariidae}} * del Hoyo, Josep, Elliott, Andrew & Sargatal, Jordi (1992). ''Handbook of Birds of the World'' Vol 1. Barcelona:Lynx Edicions, ISBN 84-87334-10-5 * {{cite encyclopedia |last=Double | first = M. C. | authorlink1 = |editor1-first = Michael | editor1-last = Hutchins | editor2-first = Jerome A. | editor2-last = Jackson | editor3-first = Walter J. | editor3-last = Bock | editor4-first = Donna | editor4-last = Olendorf | others = Joseph E. Trumpey, Chief Scientific Illustrator | encyclopedia = Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia | title = Procellariiformes (Tubenosed Seabirds) | edition = 2 | year = 2003 | publisher = Gale Group | volume = 8 Birds I Tinamous and Ratites to Hoatzins | location = Farmington Hills, MI | isbn = 0-7876-5784-0 | pages = 107–111}} * {{cite book |last1=Dunn |first1=Jon L. |last2=Alderfer |first2=Jonathan |editor1-first=Barbara |editor1-last=Levitt |title=National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America|edition= fifth|year=2006 |publisher=National Geographic Society |location=Washington D.C. |isbn=978-0-7922-5314-3|page=78 |pages= |chapter=Albatrosses }} * {{cite book |last1=Ehrlich|first1=Paul R. |authorlink1= |last2=Dobkin |first2=David, S.|last3= Wheye|first3= Darryl |title=The Birders Handbook|edition=First |year=1988 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |location=New York, NY|isbn=0-671-65989-8|pages=29–31}} * {{cite book |last1=Floyd|first1=Ted |editor1-first=Paul |editor1-last=Hess | editor2-first = George|editor2-last = Scott|others= |title=Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds of North America|edition=First |year=2008|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers |location=New York, NY |isbn=978-0-06-112040-4|page=82 |pages= |chapter=Tubenoses: Albatrosses, Shearwaters & Petrels, and Storm-petrels }} * {{cite book |last1=Sibley |first1=David A. |authorlink1=David Allen Sibley |title=The Sibley Guide to Birds|edition=First |year=2000 |publisher=Alfred A. Knopf |location=New York, NY |isbn=0-679-45122-6|page=30 |chapter=Albatrosses, Petrels, and Shearwaters }} * {{cite book |last1=Tickell|first1=W. L. N. |authorlink1= |last2= |first2= |editor1-first= |editor1-last= |editor1-link= |others= |title=Albatrosses |url= |format= |accessdate= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year=2000 |month= |origyear= |publisher=Pica Press |location=Robertsbridge, UK |isbn=1-873403-94-1 }} * "WDF - Wildlife Science." Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 09 Feb. 2009 <http://wdfw.wa.gov/wildlife/management/endangered.html> ==External links== *[http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3956&m=0 Species factsheet] - BirdLife International *[http://www.mnc.toho-u.ac.jp/v-lab/ahoudori/Photo/index.html#070608 Gallery] - Albatross Information Centre {{ja icon}} *[http://www.mnc.toho-u.ac.jp/v-lab/ahoudori/Photo/Anim/Animation.html Video] - Albatross Information Centre {{ja icon}} {{commons|Phoebastria albatrus}} [[Category:Albatrosses]] [[Category:Special Natural Monuments]] [[Category:Animals described in 1769]]'