GIBSON'S ALBATROSS

Photographed off Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand, April, 2019

(* 1237)                   GIBSON'S ALBATROSS                Diomedea gibsoni

NEW ZEALAND               111

Also known as Auckland Island Albatross or Gibson's Wandering Albatross. Considered by some to be a subspecies of Wandering Albatross and by some to be a subspecies of Antipodean Albatross and by others to be a full species. Breed only on the subantarctic Auckland Islands archaepeligo of New Zealand. Breeding females feed mainly in Tasman sea while male forage further in the sub Australian or mid Pacific sectors of Southern Ocean. Feed mainly on fish, cephalopods and crustaceans; feed on surface or shallow dives just below.

GIBSON'S ALBATROSS

Photographed on Eaglehawk pelagic, Tasmania, January 2018

1237                GIBSON'S ALBATROSS                Diomedea gibsoni

AUSTRALIAN              730

Also known as Auckland Island Albatross or Gibson's Wandering Albatross. Considered by some to be a subspecies of Wandering Albatross and by some to be a subspecies of Antipodean Albatross and by others to be a full species. Breed only on the subantarctic Auckland Islands archaepeligo of New Zealand. Breeding females feed mainly in Tasman sea while male forage further in the sub Australian or mid Pacific sectors of Southern Ocean. Feed mainly on fish, cephalopods and crustaceans; feed on surface or shallow dives just below.

ANTIPODEAN ALBATROSS

Photographed on Kiama pelagic, July 2016

802                    ANTIPODEAN ALBATROSS        Diomedea antipodensis

Australia         (646)

Also known as Antipodes Albatross, New Zealand Albatross, and Gibson's Wandering Albatross. 1.1 m; span 2-3 m. Nominate race breeds Antipodes and Campbell Is. Outside breeding season ranges over s. Pacific, including s. Aust waters. Race gibsoni breeds on Auckland Is., forages in Tasman Sea and sw Pacific; common off s NSW. Endangered.