Phoebastria immutabilis
The Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) is a striking pelagic seabird, predominantly dull white with a dark, sooty-brown back, upperwings, and tail, giving it a distinctive two-toned appearance. Its most notable field marks include a dark patch around the eye and a pinkish-gray bill tipped with dark grey or black, often with a subtle yellow hue. These large birds measure approximately 81 cm (32 in) in length, possess an impressive wingspan of 195-203 cm (77-80 in), and weigh between 1....
This species is primarily pelagic, spending over 90% of its life soaring over the open ocean. It returns to remote, low-lying oceanic islands and atolls exclusively for breeding.
Their diet primarily consists of cephalopods (squid), fish, and fish eggs, often procured through surface-seizing or shallow dives. They are also opportunistic scavengers, following ships.
Laysan Albatrosses are diurnal but often forage at night, particularly for bioluminescent squid. When not breeding, they roost on the ocean's surface. Foraging involves dynamic soaring over waves, surface seizing prey, shallow dives, and opportunistic scavenging, including following fishing vesse...
The primary breeding grounds for the Laysan Albatross are the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, particularly Midway Atoll, Laysan Island, and French Frigate Shoals, which host the vast majority of the global population. Smaller but growing colonies are also found on the main Hawaiian Islands,...
Near Threatened
- The oldest known wild bird in the world, 'Wisdom,' is a Laysan Albatross, documented to be at least 73 years old as of 2024, and still breeding. - They are masters of 'dynamic soaring,' using subtle wind gradients above the ocean's surface to fly for hundreds or thousands of miles with minimal ...