Head to head
Amsterdam Albatross vs Tristan Albatross
Both are among the rarest great albatrosses on Earth, confined to a single breeding island, but each faces a strikingly different threat.
| Amsterdam Albatross | Tristan Albatross | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Diomedea amsterdamensis | Diomedea dabbenena |
| Total population | Around 170 birds | A larger but still severely reduced population |
| Main threat | Poultry-borne disease on its breeding island | Introduced mice that kill chicks many times their size |
| Breeding range | A single plateau on one island | Almost entirely one remote South Atlantic island |
| Recognition history | Not formally described until 1983 | Recognised as distinct from other great albatrosses |
| Population trend | Increasing slowly | Decreasing |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered | Critically Endangered |
| Habitat | Ocean | Ocean |
Amsterdam Albatross vs Tristan Albatross: common questions
Which one faces a threat from disease versus predatory mice?
The Amsterdam albatross has faced pressure from poultry-borne disease on its breeding island, while the Tristan albatross instead faces the unusual threat of introduced mice that attack and kill chicks far larger than themselves.
Which one has the smaller total population?
The Amsterdam albatross has the smaller population, at only around 170 birds total, making it one of the rarest large seabirds alive, though the Tristan albatross also remains severely reduced.
Which one's population is increasing?
The Amsterdam albatross's population is increasing slowly thanks to intensive conservation efforts, while the Tristan albatross's population continues to decrease under ongoing predation and fishing pressure.