Naturaliste Charters birding tour documents rare Amsterdam Albatross in Bremer Canyon
Bremer Canyon strikes again with one of the world’s rarest birds!
The third Amsterdam Albatross for the Bremer Canyon was photographed by sharp-shooter Keith Lightbody last Friday (12 December 2025). This represents only the 6th Australian record of one of the rarest birds on the planet. Amsterdam Albatross is an endangered species (IUCN Red List) that only breeds on île Amsterdam, a French island in the southern Indian Ocean. It has a tiny population of only 300–350 individuals, with as few as 30–46 pairs breeding annually.
Amsterdam Albatross are closely related to the Wandering Albatross group. Their brown plumage is extremely similar to immature Wandering Albatross types, however the darker bill tip and well-defined black cutting edge to the bill are diagnostic features. They also share their immense size, with wingspans reaching up to 3.5 metres and the same effortless mastery of the Southern Ocean.
Despite its critically small population, the Amsterdam Albatross is considered a minor conservation success story. During the 1980s, the population declined to just five breeding pairs. Conservation measures have allowed numbers to slowly increase, however the species remains extremely vulnerable. With such a small population and breeding restricted to a single island, any environmental change presents a serious risk to its survival.
This extraordinary sighting once again highlights the global importance of the Bremer Canyon, with birds such as these travelling vast distances to feed in its productive and protected waters.
Amsterdam Albatross – Bremer Canyon Sara Hysong-Shimazu 5 January 2025
Why Bremer Canyon attracts the world’s rarest seabirds
The Bremer Canyon is one of the most productive deep-water marine systems off Australia. Its steep underwater walls generate upwelling events that draw nutrient-rich waters toward the surface. These nutrients fuel plankton blooms that support squid, fish and krill, creating a rich feeding environment for seabirds and marine mammals alike.
For wide-ranging seabirds such as the Amsterdam Albatross, access to reliable offshore feeding grounds is essential. The fact that individuals are travelling approximately 3,800 kilometres from their breeding island to forage in Bremer Canyon highlights both the productivity of this region and its importance within the broader Southern Ocean ecosystem.
To put this journey into an Australian perspective, the distance travelled by this Amsterdam Albatross is comparable to flying from Perth to far north Queensland as the crow flies. It is a vast transcontinental distance, crossed entirely over open ocean, underscoring the species’ remarkable flight capability and the global significance of Bremer Canyon as a feeding destination.
Amsterdam Albatross – Bremer Canyon Image: Keith Lightbody – 12 December 2015
A rare visitor among remarkable pelagic sightings
While the Amsterdam Albatross is one of the rarest seabirds ever recorded in Australian waters. It joins an already impressive list of pelagic species documented during Naturaliste Charters birding expeditions. These voyages regularly encounter a diversity of albatross, petrels and shearwaters.
Sightings often include Shy Albatross, Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, White-headed Petrel, Grey Petrel and Flesh-footed Shearwaters, alongside storm-petrel species that thrive in offshore conditions. These birds are frequently observed feeding in association with marine life, including killer whales, pilot whales and dolphins, where prey is driven to the surface during active feeding events.
Each expedition contributes valuable observational data, reinforcing the Bremer Canyon’s reputation as one of Australia’s most important offshore biodiversity hotspots.
Pelagic birds are not the only species seen in Bremer Canyon, orca were sighted in December 2025
Annual Bremer Canyon pelagic birding tours with Naturaliste Charters
Naturaliste Charters hosts dedicated Bremer Canyon Pelagic Bird Expeditions each December, operating across four days annually. These tours attract birding enthusiasts, photographers and wildlife observers from across Australia and overseas. The draw being the opportunity to encounter rare Southern Ocean species in their natural environment.
The expeditions are guided by experienced professionals including Daniel Mantle, a highly regarded wildlife photographer and pelagic bird specialist. Accompanied by Keith Lightbody, one of Western Australia’s most respected bird experts. Their combined knowledge ensures accurate identification, expert interpretation and an immersive birding experience offshore.
The Bremer Canyon Pelagic Bird Expeditions will return next December. Places are limited and demand is consistently high due to the rarity of species encountered. To register your interest call 08 9750 5500 or to book, visit the Naturaliste Charters website.
A group of pelagic birds squabble for food scraps left by an orca predation in Bremer Canyon Western Australia
Cover Image: Amsterdam Albatross – Bremer Canyon Sara Hysong-Shimazu 5 January 2025
