Phoebastria – North Pacific albatross

These majestic birds are members of the Phoebastria genus and are known for their incredible wingspans, ocean-crossing migrations, and graceful, effortless gliding over the sea. North Pacific albatrosses are built for long-distance flight, with wingspans reaching up to 7 feet (over 2 meters). They can travel thousands of miles without flapping their wings much, using air currents to stay aloft for hours or even days at a time.

Each of the three species has its own unique features. The Laysan albatross has a white head, dark wings, and black-rimmed eyes, giving it a soft but alert look. It breeds mainly on the Hawaiian Islands and is the most common of the three. The Black-footed albatross, true to its name, has dark plumage and black feet, and it also nests in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands but ranges farther east into the Pacific. The Short-tailed albatross is the rarest and most dramatic-looking of the group, with a creamy golden head and large pink bill. Once thought extinct due to feather hunting in the early 1900s, the short-tailed albatross has made a slow and inspiring comeback, now nesting primarily on a few Japanese islands.

These birds spend most of their lives at sea, gliding above the waves and feeding on squid, fish, and other ocean creatures near the surface. They are expert scavengers and often follow ships for food scraps, though this behavior sometimes puts them at risk from fishing gear. Albatrosses are also known for their incredibly strong pair bonds. Once they find a mate, they typically stay together for life, performing elaborate courtship dances that include beak tapping, sky-pointing, and synchronized movements. They nest on remote islands, laying just one egg per year, for which both parents take turns incubating and caring for for over several months.