See the Artificial Nests Helping the Shy Albatross Battle Climate Change

Dozens of Tasmanian shy albatrosses received artificial nests to help them cope with climate change. Albatross breeding success has fallen due to warming air temperatures.

To help address the fall in breeding success nests built of aerated concrete and mudbrick were placed on Bass Strait’s Albatross Island. On some parts of the island, birds struggle to find enough nesting material for quality natural nests, so scientists created the artificial nests to provide a stable and safe environment for the chicks.

Research has shown that birds with artificial nests have a 20% greater breeding success rate than those with natural nests.