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Amsterdam albatross
Breeding pairs remaining in the world: 18-25
Where do they breed?: Amsterdam Island (Southern Indian Ocean)
Wingspan: 300 cm
Length (beak to tail): 115 cm
Average lifespan: 40-60 years
Diet: Exact diet unknown, but probably consists of fish, squid and shrimp
Scientific name:Diomedea amsterdamensis
Threat level: Critically Endangered
Why they need your help
The Amsterdam albatross is the rarest albatross in the world.
Already suffering from an extremely small population, and confined to a tiny area on just one island, this albatross was always going to be hit hard by anything that resulted in an increased death rate.
Introduced cattle have trampled the vegetation at their only breeding site. This has reduced the amount of suitable habitat on which the birds can nest, causing an already small area to get even smaller.
Introduced feral cats have also caused problems - taking both chicks and adult birds.
There was hope that numbers were slowly recovering. But a disease that already affects the Indian yellow-nosed albatross colony 3 km away is a major threat. Infection risks are very high, and increased chick death over recent years suggests the Amsterdam albatross population is already affected.
Interactions with longline fisheries around the island in the 1970s and early 1980s, could also have contributed to a decline in numbers.