Laysan albatross

bird

Also known as: Diomedea immutabilis, Phoebastria immutabilis

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

The Laysan albatross (Diomedea immutabilis) is a large seabird found on Laysan and other Pacific islands. It is characterized by a white body and dark back and wings. Albatrosses are known for their exceptional gliding abilities, using their long, narrow wings to stay airborne for extended periods without flapping.12

These birds come ashore only to breed, forming colonies on remote islands. They exhibit elaborate mating rituals, including bill-fencing and wing-stretching displays. Albatrosses lay a single large egg, which is incubated by both parents. The young albatross grows slowly and spends several years at sea before returning to breed. Historically, albatrosses were hunted for food and feathers, but conservation efforts and changes in fashion have reduced this pressure. However, they now face threats from overfishing, which impacts their food supply.234

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albatross
The laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis), with a wingspread to about 200 cm, has a white body and dark upper wing surfaces. Its distribution is about the same as the black-footed albatross.
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The laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis), with a wingspread to about 200 cm, has a white body and dark upper wing surfaces. Its distribution is about the same as the black-footed albatross.
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lead poisoning
Lead poisoning in animals
…a particular threat to the Laysan albatross, large populations of which nest on Midway Atoll, where they ingest lead paint chips.
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…a particular threat to the Laysan albatross, large populations of which nest on Midway Atoll, where they ingest lead paint chips.
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procellariiform
Importance to humans
…Island in the Midway Atoll, Laysan albatrosses (Diomedea immutabilis) increased from a few pairs in 1900 to about 60,000 pairs in the early 1960s, the increase resulting from shelter provided by introduced vegetation. The use of the island by aircraft after 1935, air raids by the Japanese during World War…
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…Island in the Midway Atoll, Laysan albatrosses (Diomedea immutabilis) increased from a few pairs in 1900 to about 60,000 pairs in the early 1960s, the increase resulting from shelter provided by introduced vegetation. The use of the island by aircraft after 1935, air raids by the Japanese during World War…
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migration
Navigation and orientation
Laysan albatrosses (Diomedea immutabilis) returned to Midway Island in the Pacific after being released at Whidbey Island, Washington; the journey covered 5,100 kilometres (3,200 miles) and took 10.1 days. Experiments with certain fishes and mammals have demonstrated similar homing ability.
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Laysan albatrosses (Diomedea immutabilis) returned to Midway Island in the Pacific after being released at Whidbey Island, Washington; the journey covered 5,100 kilometres (3,200 miles) and took 10.1 days. Experiments with certain fishes and mammals have demonstrated similar homing ability.
Read More