Black-footed albatross
Dark-plumaged North Pacific albatross nesting on isolated tropical islands.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
The black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) is a large seabird from the North Pacific, belonging to the albatross family Diomedeidae. Nearly the entire population—97.5%—lives among the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It is one of only three albatross species found in the Northern Hemisphere, nesting on remote tropical islands. Unlike most albatrosses, it has dark plumage.
As a member of the order Procellariiformes, which includes shearwaters, fulmars, and petrels, it shares several traits. Its nostrils are attached to the upper bill as tubes called naricorns, though they sit on the sides of the bill. The bill itself is split into seven to nine horny plates. These birds produce a stomach oil made of wax esters and triglycerides, stored in the proventriculus, used to deter predators and as a rich energy source for chicks and adults on long flights. A salt gland above the nasal passage helps desalinate their bodies by excreting a salty solution from the nose, compensating for the seawater they drink. The species name *nigripes* comes from Latin *niger* ("black") and *pes* ("foot").
This is a small albatross, though still large compared to most seabirds. Its plumage is almost entirely black. Some adults have white undertail coverts, and all have white markings near the beak base and below the eye, with more white appearing at the beak base as they age. The beak and feet are dark. They have only one plumage type. They measure 68 to 74 cm (27–29 in) long, with a wingspan of 190 to 220 cm (6.2–7.2 ft), and weigh 2.6–4.3 kg (5.7–9.5 lb). Males average 3.4 kg (7.5 lb), heavier than females at 3 kg (6.6 lb).
Along with the Laysan and short-tailed albatrosses, this species ranges in the Northern Hemisphere, while other albatrosses live from the Equator south. There are at least 12 known breeding sites, but 97.5% of the population nests colonially on the isolated Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, from Kure Atoll to Kaʻula Island (including Laysan, Midway, and French Frigate Shoals). Small groups breed on Japan’s Tori Shima, Bonin, and Senkaku Islands, and off Mexico’s coast, mainly on Isla Guadalupe. They have been extirpated from Iwo Jima, Agrihan, Taongi Atoll, Marcus Island, Wake Island, and Johnston Island. At sea, their range shifts with the seasons—they stray farther from breeding islands when chicks are older or when they have no chicks—covering much of the
- Scientific name
- Phoebastria nigripes
- Family
- Diomedeidae
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Wingspan
- 190–220 cm (6.2–7.2 ft)
- Weight
- 2.6–4.3 kg (5.7–9.5 lb)
- Population
- 129,000 adult birds
- Conservation status
- Near threatened
Lore & Background
The black-footed albatross is a small member of the albatross family, with almost all black plumage. Some adults show white undertail coverts, and all have white markings around the base of the beak and below the eye. Its beak and feet are dark. Males average 3.4 kg, larger than females at 3 kg. The specific epithet nigripes derives from Latin niger 'black' and pes 'foot'.
It breeds colonially on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, with 97.5% of the population found there. Small populations exist on Japanese islands and off Mexico. It feeds in pelagic waters on flying fish eggs, live fish, fish offal, squid, and crustaceans, and also consumes floating debris including plastics. Its vocalizations include shrieks, squeals, bill-clapping, whistles, groans, and quacks.
Long-term pair-bonds last for life. Birds return to the colony after three years, spend two years building nests and courting, and start reproducing after about seven years, mating every two years. One egg is laid in a sand depression, incubated for 65 days. Chicks fledge after 140 days.
Reader's Guide
The black-footed albatross is significant as one of only three albatross species that range in the Northern Hemisphere, and as the only dark-plumaged albatross among them. Its near-threatened status highlights the impact of longline fishing, which takes an estimated 4,000 to 8,000 individuals annually, primarily from Taiwanese and Japanese fleets. It is also vulnerable to oil pollution and ingestion of floating plastics. Volcanic eruptions on Torishima pose an additional threat. Conservation measures include protection of all U.S. nesting sites with a 50 nautical mile buffer zone where longline fishing is outlawed, and annual sampling of nearly 80% of the breeding population. The species has an occurrence range of 37,600,000 km² but a breeding range of only 28 km², underscoring its dependence on a few isolated islands. Its long-term pair bonds and extended courtship period—evolved to ensure mutual commitment given the high energetic cost of raising a chick—illustrate a remarkable life-history strategy among seabirds.
Did You Know?
- All but 2.5% of the black-footed albatross population is found among the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
- The species' specific epithet nigripes comes from Latin niger meaning 'black' and pes meaning 'foot'.
- Black-footed albatrosses produce a stomach oil made of wax esters and triglycerides, used against predators and as food for chicks.
- Males average 3.4 kg, larger than females at 3 kg.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Black-footed albatross?
It is a large, dark-plumaged seabird of the North Pacific belonging to the albatross family Diomedeidae. As a member of the order Procellariiformes, it shares features like tubular nostrils (nasicorns) with shearwaters, fulmars, and petrels.
Where does the Black-footed albatross nest?
Roughly 97.5% of the entire population breeds on the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It is one of only three albatross species that nest in the Northern Hemisphere, choosing isolated tropical islands for its colonies.
How big is a Black-footed albatross?
Adults measure about 190 to 220 cm (6.2–7.2 ft) across the wings and weigh between 2.6 and 4.3 kg (5.7–9.5 lb). That places it firmly in the category of genuinely large oceanic seabirds.
What sets the Black-footed albatross apart from other albatrosses?
Where most albatrosses display predominantly white plumage, this species is strikingly dark overall. It also stands out by nesting on remote tropical islands in the Northern Hemisphere rather than on sub-Antarctic landmasses.
How many Black-footed albatrosses are there?
The population is estimated at around 129,000 adult birds. Because nearly all of them are concentrated in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, the species depends heavily on a single geographic region for breeding.
More in Birds of the Pacific Ocean 1-24
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