ILLUSTRATION
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PHOTOS
CONSERVATION STATUS
The Black-footed Albatross is one of the large seabirds whose range extends throughout the Northern Hemisphere and especially the Northern Pacific. It nests in tropical islands, such as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and the Japanese islands Kri Shima, Bonin and Senaku. This species is colonial when nesting. The Black-footed Albatross makes nests in the sand, and mates for life. Diets include fish, fish eggs, squid, crustaceans and floating debris in the ocean. Threats to the species include long-line fishing, which claims 4,000 to 8,000 per year, oil, and ingestion of floating plastics. The conservation status of the Black-footed Albatross is Endangered.
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SUMMARY
Overview
Black-footed Albatross: Large seabird with long wings, gray-black body, and white ring around face at base of bill. Uppertail coverts are pale gray. Most have dark undertail coverts, some have white undertail and belly. The most frequently sighted albatross off the Pacific Coast of North America.
Range and Habitat
Black-footed Albatross: Breeds primarily in and around the Hawaiian archipelago. Preferred habitats include open sea and low, flat islands.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to Call
Black-footed Albatross
Voice Text
Generally silent
INTERESTING FACTS
- The Black-footed Albatross is the most commonly sighted albatross off of the western coast of North America, and is easily distinguished from other albatross species by its dark plumage and smaller size.
- Nesting primarily on remote beaches in the Hawaiian archipelago, individuals are known to undertake journeys from Hawaiian nesting grounds to northern California to find food for their young.
- Chicks live on a diet of flying fish eggs and squid oil. The rich squid and stomach oil is filled with fatty acids and nutrients that can sustain a chick for a number of days while the parent goes out to sea in search of more food.
- A group of albatrosses are known collectively as a "flight", "rookery", and "weight" of albatrosses.
- Satellite tracking reveals that some albatrosses fly around the entire planet in less than two months and can soar for six days without flapping their wings.
- As soon as a young wandering Albatross gets airborne it won't land again until it is ready to breed, which can be ten years later.
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