Laying Dates, Breeding Success and Annual Breeding of Southern Royal Albatrosses Diomedea epomophora epomophora at Campbell Island During 1964-69

Abstract

Aspects of the breeding biology of Southern Royal Albatrosses Diomedea epomophora epomophora were studied at Campbell Island during four breeding seasons, 1964 to 1969. Laying and hatching dates for D. e. epomophora on Campbell Island were 17-22 d later than those reported for Northern Royal Albatrosses D. e. sanfordi at Taiaroa Head. Although recapture rates were low, most birds followed a biennial breeding pattern typical of the great albatrosses. Notable exceptions were two pairs which bred in consecutive years after raising chicks to fledging in the first year. Breeding success approximated long-term averages found for Wandering Albatrosses D. exulans. D. e. epomophora differed from D. exulansin having higher rates of chick failure when overall breeding success was low. Incubation period was approximately similar to that reported for D. e. sanfordi and mate fidelity was high, as with most petrel species.