Campbell albatross have a white head, black eyebrows and honey-coloured irises. It is a medium-sized albatross with a white body. It has dark upper wings and the under wings are white with black margins. It can have a wingspan of 2.5 metres.

Campbell albatross are one of the most common small albatrosses in New Zealand, and travels throughout the south Pacific, Tasman Sea, and the Ross Sea. Breeding takes place annually from late September to early October and is restricted to Campbell Island and Jeanette Marie Island in the Campbell Island group.


Campbell albatross are considered ‘Serious decline’ by the Department of Conservation and ‘Critically Endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Campbell albatross have a variable diet, with breeding birds feeding on southern blue whiting on the Campbell Plateau, and non-breeding birds feeding in pelagic waters on squid and cephalopods.

Campbell albatross are active scavengers, and have been caught in New Zealand fishing operations, e.g. southern bluefin tuna fisheries and some trawl fisheries.

All albatross species are collectively known by Maori as Toroa and are highly valued for their bones, white feathers, and as a rare delicacy. The feathers were used to adorn war canoes and as ornaments for people of rank. The bones were highly prized for making flutes and were used to make neck and ear pendants as well.

International Union for Conservation of nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red list

New Zealand Threat Classification System list