Graphical abstract, from the publication

Guilherme de Espindola da Silveira (Laboratory of Biomarkers of Aquatic Contamination and Immunochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil) and colleagues have published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin on metal(loid) concentrations in carcasses of stranded Black-browed Albatrosses Thalassarche melanophris from the southern and southeastern coasts of Brazil,

A Black-browed Albatross on Islote Albatros, Tierra del Fuego, Chile, photograph by Patricia Serafini

The paper’s abstract follows:

“Metal(loid)s occur naturally in the environment; however, anthropogenic activities can release significant amounts into ecosystems, offering risks to biological communities. In response to such exposure, organisms induce the synthesis of metallothioneins (MT), low molecular weight proteins involved in metal detoxification in a wide range of organisms. In this study, we investigated the relationship between hepatic MT levels and concentrations of arsenic, cadmium (Cd), copper, mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum, lead, vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn), alongside biological variables, in black-browed albatrosses (Thalassarche melanophris) found stranded in southeastern Brazilian coast. Only Zn presented a positive relationship with hepatic MT levels through both correlation and linear regression analyses. Additionally, Zn was identified via generalized additive models (GAM) as the best predictor of MT variability, supporting the use of MT as biomarkers for Zn exposition in black-browed albatrosses. Other significant predictors of MT levels included hepatic concentrations of Cd, Hg, Mn, and V, as well as body mass, sex, and presence of solid debris in the gastrointestinal tract. GAM indicated complex non-linear relationships between MT levels and Cd, Hg and Zn concentrations. An initial positive association was observed between MT and Zn, reversing once Zn exceed ∼600 mg·kg⁻¹ dw. The opposite was detected for Cd and Hg: initially, as concentration of both metals increases, MT levels tend to decrease, but rise again after reaching an inflexion point. These results suggest that multiple detoxification pathways may act in concert with MT, underscoring the need for integrative approaches to assess metal(loid)s stress in seabirds.”

Reference:

de Espindola da Silveira, G., dos Santos Lima, G., Pacheco Harrison Righetto, B., Lisarb Velasquez Bastolla, ., Mattos, J.J., Menegário, A.A., Celso Dias Bainy, A., Hahn Lüchmann, K., Serafini, P.P. 2026.  Relationships between metal(loid)s, biological variables and hepatic metallothionein levels in black-browed albatrosses (Thalassarche melanophris).  Marine Pollution Bulletin 226, 119378.

With thanks to Patricia Serafini.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 19 February 2026

"Heart". A pair of Laysan Albatrosses, photograph by Hob Osterlund

Natasha Gillies (Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, UK) and Katrina Siddiqi-Davies have reviewed same-sex partnerships in birds, including in Laysan Albatrosses Phoebastria immutabilis in the open access Journal of Avian Biology.

The paper’s abstract follows:

“Same-sex sexual behaviour (SSB), encompassing actions such as courtship, pair bonding, and parenting between individuals of the same sex, has been observed across numerous taxa, including birds. Yet despite its widespread occurrence, SSB remains poorly understood, often dismissed as maladaptive or the result of errors in sex discrimination. However, instances of same-sex partnerships – persistent pair bonds between same-sex individuals – challenge these assumptions, particularly in birds, whose diverse mating systems and high level of monogamy imposes strong selective pressures on pair formation and maintenance. This review synthesises our current knowledge of same-sex partnerships in birds, addressing their evolutionary origins, adaptive benefits, and broader ecological significance. We argue that the prevalence of same-sex partnerships has likely been underestimated, hindered both by historical biases in interpretation and, especially more recently, logistical challenges in data collection. Drawing on examples from across the avian class, we explore the potential reproductive and social benefits of same-sex partnerships. By reframing these behaviours as potentially adaptive rather than anomalous, we aim to advance understanding of their evolutionary persistence and encourage more systematic research into their occurrence and implications.”

Reference:

Gillies, N. & Siddiqi-Davies, K. 2026.  Same-sex partnerships in birds: a review of the current literature and a call for more data.  Journal of Avian Biology doi.org/10.1002/jav.03452.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 18 February 2026

A helicopter flies past the research station on Marion Island, photograph by Otto Whitehead

The Saving Marion Island’s Seabirds: The Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Project has made a Call for Expressions of Interest: Helicopter Services for an Aerial Baiting Trial on Marion Island during April-May 2027.

This Light-mantled Albatross Phoebastria palpebrata chick was scalped at night by House Mice on Marion Island; it did not survive.  Photograph by Peter Ryan

“Marion Island — a sub-Antarctic island and part of South Africa’s only Special Nature Reserve — is facing a serious and escalating conservation crisis.  House Mice, accidentally introduced in the early 19th century, have in recent years begun preying on the island’s globally important populations of albatrosses and petrels.  This predation is increasing and is considered unsustainable, placing many seabird species at risk of local extinction.

The MFM Project has been established to eradicate invasive mice from the island and remove this threat.  The Project is a partnership between BirdLife South Africa and the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.  The full eradication operation will involve a complex, island-wide aerial baiting programme and represents one of the most significant island restoration initiatives currently being undertaken globally.

As part of detailed planning and to ensure operational readiness for the main project, an aerial baiting trial (of approximately 1000 hectares) will be conducted on Marion Island in April–May 2027.  The trial is intended to evaluate key elements of the baiting strategy, test operational systems and equipment, and refine logistical coordination under Marion Island’s challenging conditions.  The operation will require the deployment of a single helicopter and a pilot with demonstrated aerial-baiting experience.

The MFM Project is therefore inviting Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified helicopter companies with the demonstrated technical experience and expertise and the operational capacity to undertake this trial in a remote, logistically complex, and environmentally demanding setting.”

The detailed Expression of Interest (EOI) document provides comprehensive information on Marion Island, the conservation challenge posed by invasive mice, the proposed eradication methodology, and the specific requirements for helicopter services for the aerial baiting trial.

Note this EOI relates specifically to the aerial baiting trial, not to the full eradication operation.

To request the EOI documentation contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., MFM Project Manager and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., MFM Operations Manager.

The deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest is 27 March 2026.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 17 February 2026

Banner design by Kitty Harvill, with photographs by David Boyle, Chris Jones and Michelle Risi

The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels is pleased to announce it will collaborate once more for the seventh year running with Artists & Biologists Unite for Nature (ABUN) to produce artworks in support of World Albatross Day on 19 June, with its 2026 theme of “Habitat Restoration”.  ABUN Project #52 will run for two months from 16 February to 19 April, with the international collective’s artists being requested to paint or draw in support of WAD2026.

A Chatham Albatross stands over its chick on The Pyramid/Tarakoikoia, New Zealand, photograph by David Boyle

Two albatross species will be used to feature the theme for “WAD2026” with ABUN artworks, as well as by logos, photographic posters and species infographics.  They are the Endangered Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos, endemic to the Tristan da Cunha islands, part of the United Kingdom Overseas Territory of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic, and the Vulnerable Chatham Albatross Thalassarche eremita, endemic to the Chatham Islands, New Zealand.

An Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross tends its chick on Gough Island, photograph by Michelle Risi

The WAD2026 theme of Habitat Restoration will include such management activities as eradication or control of introduced plants and animals at breeding sites, provision and maintenance of predator-proof fences, establishment of new breeding colonies by attraction techniques and translocations of eggs and chicks, candling and substituting infertile with fertile eggs, supplementary feeding and hydration of chicks and adults, artificial incubation during hatching, and use of fly repellents and sprinkler systems to improve breeding success.

The WAD2026 theme follows on from the inaugural theme “Eradicating Island Pests” in 2020, “Ensuring Albatross-friendly Fisheries” in 2021, “Climate Change” in 2022, “Plastic Pollution” in 2023, Marine Protected Areas” in 2024 and “Effects of Disease” in 2025, all of which have been supported by ABUN Projects.

With thanks to ABUN Co-founder, Kitty Harvill.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 16 February 2026