One of the most dramatic comeback stories in the bird world. Once teetering on the edge of extinction, this magnificent seabird—sometimes called the “golden gooney” for the rich golden wash on its head and neck—has become a symbol of hope for conservation. It is the largest seabird in the North Pacific, soaring effortlessly for hours over open ocean, barely flapping its wings. With its snowy white body, black wingtips, and warm golden head, the Short-tailed Albatross is powerful in flight and strikingly beautiful.
Historically, these birds nested in the thousands on islands like Torishima and the Senkaku Islands in Japan. But by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they were hunted relentlessly for their feathers, which were used in pillows and fashion, and their populations plummeted from millions to only a few dozen survivors. Since then, through careful protection, habitat restoration, and sheer resilience, the Short-tailed Albatross has staged a remarkable recovery.
What makes this albatross especially fascinating is its lifestyle at sea. They spend most of their lives gliding over the vast North Pacific, from Japan and Taiwan to Alaska, California, and even Hawaii. Using their long wings and specialized shoulder-locking joints, they can soar on ocean winds for hours without effort, covering thousands of kilometers on foraging trips. Their diet consists mainly of squid, fish, and shrimp-like crustaceans, which they often catch at night when prey rise closer to the surface. Despite their elegance, they can be surprisingly clumsy on land, earning albatrosses the nickname of “gooney birds” for their awkward waddles and crash-landings at breeding colonies.
Distribution
Canada
China
Japan
Korea
Mexico
Nort. Mariana Is.
Philippines
Russia
Taiwan
US Minor Is.
United StatesAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Colony
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
