Short-tailed Albatross

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Short-tailed Albatross Phoebastria albatrus

Common. Endemic. Few birds seen around Izu Islands, E Honshu; off Chiba, Ibaraki and Fukushima Pref mainly in spring; Feb to May. Also seen E Honshu and S Hokkaido in mid-autumn; Nov to Des.
Breeding sites are confirmed on Torishima, Izu Is; 1,011 pairs and ＞5,000 individuals in 2018-2019 season, and dozen pairs on Kita-kojima and Minami-kojima; Senkaku Is Okinawa Pref. Mukojima Is, Bonin Is has been re-introduced since 2008 and 2 pairs succeeded breeding.

Almost all Torishima chicks (expect a few chicks) are had rings/flag.

We referred to plumage stages Howell (2012).

Fig. 1. Plumage stage 7. Off Torishima. Apr 12 2019.

Fig. 2. Plumage stage 7. Same bird as Fig. 1. Off Torishima. Apr 12 2019.

Fig. 3. Plumage stage 7.

Fig. 4. Plumage stage 7. Same bird as Fig. 3.

Fig. 5. Plumage stage 6.

Fig. 6. Plumage stage 6. Same bird as Fig. 5.

Fig. 7. Plumage stage 6. Off Torishima. Apr 12 2019.

Fig. 8. Plumage stage 5. Off Torishima. Apr 12 2019.

Fig. 9. Plumage stage 5. Some females have dark hind neck even after 17 years.

Fig. 10. Plumage stage 5. This plumage pattern seen around 7 yaers Male or around 14 years Female.

Fig. 11. Plumage stage 5. The plumage is similar Fig. 10.

Fig. 12. Plumage stage 3-4. This plumage pattern seen around 6 yaers Male or around 12 years Female

Fig. 13. Plumage stage 3-4. Off Torishima. Apr 12 2019.

Fig. 14. Plumage stage 3-4. Off Torishima. Apr 12 2019.

Fig. 15. Plumage stage 3.

Fig. 16. Plumage stage 2. This plumage pattern seen around 4 yaers Male or around 6 years Female.

Fig. 17. Plumage stage 2. This plumage pattern seen around 3 yaers Male or around 4 years Female.

Fig. 18. Plumage stage 2. The plumage is similar Fig. 17.

Fig. 19. Plumage stage 2. The plumage is similar Fig. 17-18.

Fig. 20. Plumage stage 2. The plumage is similar Fig. 17-19.

Fig. 21. Plumage stage 2.

Fig. 22. Plumage stage 1-2.

Fig. 23. Plumage stage 1. This plumage pattern seen around 2 yaers Male or around 3 years Female.

Fig. 24. Plumage stage 1. Same bird as Fig. 23.