A massive seabird with wingspan exceeding 2 m. Nests on remote Hawaiian Islands. Spectacular gliding flight across waves; rarely flaps wings.

Also called: Goonie Bird (sailor slang)

Native status: Native; near threatened

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 68–74 cm (27–29 in); wingspan 1.9–2.2 m (6.2–7.2 ft)
Weight2.6–4.3 kg (5.7–9.5 lb)
LifespanWild 40+ years; oldest banded 51
OrderProcellariiformes
FamilyDiomedeidae

§ Encyclopedia

The black-footed albatross is a large seabird of the albatross family Diomedeidae from the North Pacific. All but 2.5% of the population is found among the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It is one of three species of albatross that range in the Northern Hemisphere, nesting on isolated tropical islands. Unlike many albatrosses, it is dark plumaged.

Source: Wikipedia — Black-footed albatross Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Dark sooty-brown body with pale face and undertail; large pink-tipped dark bill. Massive wingspan with slender wings adapted for dynamic soaring over ocean swells.

Similar species. Laysan Albatross (white body, dark wings). Short-tailed Albatross (much rarer; pale body in adults).

Voice. Bill-clattering and groaning during courtship; generally silent at sea.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Flying fish eggs, squid, krill, scavenged fish. Surface-skimmer and surface-seizer; rarely dives.

Behavior. Breeds almost entirely on northwestern Hawaiian Islands (especially Midway and Laysan); a small population on Mexico's Guadalupe Island. Pairs mate for life and return to natal colony to breed every other year. Plastic ingestion is a major chick mortality factor.

§ Range

Pelagic North Pacific

§ Habitat

Open North Pacific

§ Threats

Plastic ingestion (devastating for chicks), longline fishery bycatch, climate change.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the black-footed albatross is currently classified as Near Threatened.

§ What helps

Reduce ocean plastic. Support albatross conservation. Don't use plastic items.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USFWS Pacific Islands
  • NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
  • American Bird Conservancy
  • IUCN Red List 2018