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Northern royal albatross
Breeding pairs remaining in the world: 6,500-7,000
Where do they breed?: Chatham Islands, Enderby Island and South Island (New Zealand)
Wingspan: 320 cm
Length (beak to tail): 115 cm
Average lifespan: 40-60 years
Diet: It feeds mainly on squid and fish, also salps (barrel-like, free-floating filter feeders), shrimps, crabs, lobsters and carrion
Scientific name:Diomedea sanfordi
Threat level: Endangered
Why they need your help
Historically, northern royal albatross chicks were taken as food. Thankfully, this practice is now illegal.
Today, the biggest threat to this species is from the fishing industry. Northern royal albatrosses travel widely in search of food, and are regularly recorded as bycatch.
As with the Chatham albatross, breeding colonies on the Chatham Islands (home to 99% of the species) were severely hit by storms in the mid-1980s. All the vegetation was removed, causing considerable soil erosion. Breeding success has been low ever since.
In addition, there has been a reduction in thickness of eggs, causing eggs to crack before chicks hatch, adding to the already high chick death rate.
At one of their breeding sites on Taiaroa Head, predation is a problem, although plans are in place to reduce this treat.