Birds
Campbell Albatross
Thalassarche impavida · also called Campbell mollymawk
Marked by a striking pale golden-yellow eye found on almost no other albatross species, a Campbell albatross breeds nowhere on Earth except a single remote subantarctic island, its population now slowly recovering after introduced predators were removed from that one site.
Overview
The Campbell albatross, Thalassarche impavida, is a Vulnerable seabird native to ocean habitat across the Southern Ocean, foraging widely off New Zealand and Australia. Its extremely restricted single-island breeding range, distinctive golden-eyed appearance, and post-eradication recovery make it one of the more visually and geographically distinctive mollymawk species found anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
A single island holding an entire species
Every Campbell albatross alive today was born on the same remote subantarctic island, a degree of geographic concentration that made the successful removal of introduced predators there one of the most consequential conservation actions ever taken for this species.
Status
Vulnerable, having shown signs of recovery in recent decades following the successful eradication of introduced predators from Campbell Island, though it remains at risk given its single-island breeding range.
Campbell Albatross: common questions
Where does the Campbell albatross breed?
This species breeds only on Campbell Island, a single remote subantarctic island south of New Zealand, making it entirely endemic to that one site rather than breeding across multiple locations.
What makes the Campbell albatross unusual among albatrosses?
This species has a distinctive pale golden-yellow iris, unlike the darker eye typical of most other mollymawk species, a feature that makes it easy to identify at close range.
Is the Campbell albatross population recovering?
Yes, this species has shown signs of recovery in recent decades following the successful eradication of introduced predators from Campbell Island, its single breeding site.
How is the Campbell albatross related to the black-browed albatross?
This species is closely related to the black-browed albatross and was only recognised as its own separate species after genetic and physical differences between the two were confirmed by researchers.