General

Laysan Albatross: Large seabird with dark brown back; white head, neck and rump; dark eye patch; yellow and gray bill with thick hooked tip; wings dark brown above; underparts white with irregular brown-black borders. Tail is dark brown-black; white coverts. Legs and webbed feet are flesh-pink. Iris is dark. Sexes are similar. Juvenile similar to adult; bill is dark gray all over, but quickly becomes the color of the adult's; gray face often appears white with black eye patch; greater underwing coverts are relatively small and narrow.

Range and Habitat

Laysan Albatross: This species breeds on isolated islands in the central Pacific Ocean, mostly on Hawaiian chain islands, but also on islands off the coasts of Japan, Mexico, and on the French Frigate Shoals. When not in breeding season, these birds migrate to islands around Bering Sea and the Aleutian archipelago.

Breeding and Nesting

Layson Albatross: These albatrosses are monogamous and mate for life. They breed from November to July. One dull white egg spotted with brown is laid in a shallow ground depression lined with leaves, twigs and sand. The incubation period ranges from 65 to 66 days. Incubation is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Laysan Albatross: This albatross feeds predominantly on cephalopods such as squid and octopus but will also eat fish, fish eggs, crustaceans and other invertebrates. It is a surface feeder. It scoops up its prey from just under the surface of the water, and also feeds by shallow diving to catch squid, fish and crustaceans. It does most of its feeding at night.

Vocalization

Laysan Albatross: Usually silent at sea; on breeding grounds utters a series of "Eh-eh Eh-eh-eh" sounds, whines, whinnies, moans, inhalations, and squeaks.

Similar Species

Laysan Albatross: White-capped Albatross is larger with a lighter back, longer bill, and more white on the rump.