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title: "Archaeological evidence suggests long-term individual foraging site fidelity in the Short-tailed Albatross"
---

# Archaeological evidence suggests long-term individual foraging site fidelity in the Short-tailed Albatross

*![Short tailed Albatross Laurie Johnson Lucimara Wesolowicz.hiquaL](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Short_tailed/Short-tailed_Albatross_Laurie_Johnson_Lucimara_Wesolowicz.hiquaL.jpg)Short-tailed Albatross pair by [ABUN](https://abun4nature.org/)artist *Lucimara Wesolowicz‎*, after a photograph by Cynthia Vanderlip*

 Eric Guiry ([School of Archaeology and Ancient History](https://le.ac.uk/archaeology), University of Leicester, UK) and colleagues have published open access in the journal [*Communications Biology*](https://www.nature.com/commsbio/) on using archaeological information to learn about the past foraging fidelity of Short-tailed Albatrosses *Phoebastria albatrus* over thousands of years.

 The paper’s abstract follows:

 “Theory and field studies suggest that long-term individual foraging site fidelity (IFSF) may be an important adaptation to competition from increasing population. However, the driving mechanisms and extent of long-term IFSF in wild populations of long-lived, migratory animals has been logistically difficult to study, with only a few confirmed instances. Temporal isotopic datasets can reveal long-term patterns in geographical foraging behaviour. We investigate the isotopic compositions of endangered short-tailed albatross (*Phoebastria albatrus*) over four millennia leading up to their near-extinction. Although not exhibited by short-tailed albatross today, we show past sub-populations displayed a high-degree of long-term IFSF, focusing on the same locations for hundreds of generations. This is the first large-scale evidence for the deep antiquity of long-term IFSF and suggests that it’s density-driven. Globally, as populations of species like short-tailed albatross continue to recover from overexploitation, potential for resurgence of geographic specialization may increase exposure to localized hazards, requiring closer conservation monitoring.”

 Read a popular article on the study [here](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220414110831.htm).

 With thanks to Barry Baker and Ken Morgan.

 **Reference:**

 Guiry, E.J., James, M., Cheung, C. & Royle, T.C.A. 2022.  Four millennia of long-term individual foraging site fidelity in a highly migratory marine predator.  [*Communications Biology*5: 368**.**](https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-03310-2).

 *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 18 April 2022*