The black-footed albatross, like the Laysan albatross, is one of the oddballs of the albatross family due to the fact that it inhabits the Northern Hemisphere (only four out of twenty-one species of albatrosses lives outside of the Southern Hemisphere). The black-footed albatross (also like the Laysan albatross) breeds in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It nests in colonies on Laysan Island, Midway Island, Kure Atoll, French Frigate Shoals and Kaula Island.
Unlike the Laysan albatross, which is considered to be common and not at threat from extinction, the black-footed albatross population is declining. Consequently, the species is classified as endangered. Today there are fewer than 120,000 mature adult black-footed albatrosses, and longline fishing currently poses the greatest threat to the species.
Black-footed albatrosses are notable for their distinct coloration. They are the only entirely dark-colored albatross to inhabit the northern Pacific Ocean. They have a halo of white feathers around the base of their bill and as the bird ages, the white fringe of feathers grows more prominant.
Black footed albatrosses feed on the eggs of flying fish as well as fish, squid and crustaceans. They use their keen sense of smell to pinpoint the location of prey when foraging over the open sea.
Photo © Daisy Gilardini / Getty Images.
Comments