Albatrosses are some of the most far-roaming seabirds in the world (5) and the Campbell albatross in particular has been known to make single, non-stop flights of up to 19 hours without landing (4). During the day, the Campbell albatross spends most of its time in flight, but it will spend the night sitting on the water (4).
Typical foraging trips in this species last between 3 and 12 days (4), and individuals may travel up to 2,000 kilometres away from the colony in search of food (6). The Campbell albatross feeds mainly on fish, particularly southern blue whiting (Micromesistius australis), which forms the bulk of the diet during the chick-rearing period. It also takes cephalopods, crustaceans, jellyfish and carrion (7). The Campbell albatross generally feeds by seizing prey at the surface and possibly by shallow diving, as well as by following fishing vessels (2) (3). Like other albatrosses, the Campbell albatross is known as a ‘tube-nose’ due to its large external nostrils, which provide this it with a very good sense of smell, used for foraging (5).
The Campbell albatross is a long-lived and slow-growing species (5) which does not usually breed until it is ten years old (3), and only returns to land for the first time when it is five years old (2). This species breeds in large colonies on Campbell Island. The female Campbell albatross lays a single egg each year, in late September to early October, and the egg hatches in early December (3). Both the male and female Campbell albatross care for the chick (2), which fledges from mid-April to early May (3).
In defence against predators, an albatross will eject a strong-smelling stomach oil which can travel over one metre in the direction of the predator (5).