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The Laysan Albatross,
Phoebastria immutabilis, is a large seabird that ranges across
the North Pacific. This small (for its family) albatross is the
second most common seabird in the Hawaiian Islands, with an estimated
population of 2.5 million birds, and is currently expanding (or
possibly re-expanding) its range to new islands. It is named for
Laysan, one of its breeding colonies in the Northwestern Hawaiian
Islands.Description The Laysan Albatross is usually easy to identify,
in the North Pacific it is simple to separate from the other relatively
common albatross, the all black Black-footed Albatross. It can
be distinguished from the very rare Short-tailed Albatross by
its all dark back and smaller size. The Laysan Albatross' plumage
has been compared to that of a gull, two tone with a dark grey
mantle and wings, and white underside and head.
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The Laysan Albatross has a wide range across the North Pacific.
Its main breeding colonies are in the Hawaiian Islands, particularly
the islands of Midway and Laysan. It also nests in the Bonin Islands
near Japan, and has recently began to colonize islands off Mexico,
such as Guadalupe Island. When away from the breeding areas they
range widely from Japan to Alaska and down to california, but
usually far offshore. The
Laysan Albatross is colonial, nesting on scattered small islands
and atolls, often in huge numbers. They also have a protracted
breeding cycle. Juvenile birds return to the colony three years
after fledging, but will not mate for the first time until they
are seven or eight years old. over these four or five years they
form pair bonds with a mate that they will keep for life. Courtship
entails especially elaborate 'dances' that have up to 25 ritualised
movements.
Above Pictures Come From The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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