the collar. Range and habitat They are endemic to the islands off the coast of New Zealand, with a population of 75,000 breeding pairs, estimated in 2007, and 350,000 to 375,000 total birds. Disappointment Island has 72,000 pairs, Auckland Island has 3,000 pairs, Adams Island (Auckland Islands) has 100 pairs, and Bollons Island (Antipodes Islands) has 100 pairs. Juvenile and non-breeding birds are believed to forage in the southwestern Atlantic and a recent DNA test of a South Georgia bird confirmed it. Also, using different techniques, scientists have proven that they forage off the coast of southwestern Africa. Juveniles are also believed to go as far as the south Atlantic and the southwestern Indian Ocean. Behavior Feeding They are a surface feeder, but may utilize shallow dives for their food which is fish, cephalopods, tunicates, and crustacea. Reproduction The white-capped albatross breeds annually on rocks on small islands. Conservation The IUCN classifies this species as near threatened, with an occurrence range of and a breeding range of . The largest threat for this bird is longline and trawl fisheries. Net monitor cables were responsible for large numbers of deaths; however, they were phased out in 1992. Commercial exploitation of squid in Bass Strait may present a threat by reducing the food supply. Also, pigs on Auckland Island reduced nesting from 1972–1982, and feral cats also take small number of chicks. Since 2006, Auckland Island birds have been tracked, and this will continue. Footnotes References Watkins, B. (2008) in litt External links white-capped albatross Birds of the Auckland Islands white-capped albatross white-capped albatross