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Sea BirdsShort-tailed Albatross
Short-tailed Albatross
Common Name: Short-tailed Albatross
Scientific Name: Phoebastria albatrus
Description
With
a wingspan of over 2 meters (over7 feet), the short-tailed
albatross is the largest seabird in the North Pacific.
Itslong, narrow wings are adapted to soaring low over the
ocean. It is best distinguished from other albatrosses by
its large, bubblegum-pink bill. Young birds also have the
large pink bill, but their feathers are dark chocolate brown,
gradually turning white as the bird ages. Adults have an entirely
white back, white or light gold head and back of neck, and
black and white wings.
Range and Population Level
Historically,
millions of short-tailed albatrosses bred
in the western North Pacific on several islands south of the
main islands of Japan. Only two breeding colonies remain active
today: Torishima Island and Minami-kojima Island, Japan. In
addition, a single nest was recently found on Yomejima Island
of the Ogasawara Island group in Japan. Single nests also
occasionally occur on Midway Island, HI. Short-tailed
albatrosses forage widely across the temperate and
subarctic North Pacific, and can be seen in the Gulf of Alaska,
along the Aleutian Islands, and in the Bering Sea. The world
population is currently estimated to be about 1200 birds and
is increasing.
Habitat
and Habits
Like
many seabirds, short-tailed albatrosses are slow to reproduce
and are long-lived, with some known to be over 40 years old.
They begin breeding at about 7 or 8 years, and mate for life.
Short-tailed albatrosses nest on sloping
grassy terraces on two rugged, isolated, windswept islands
in Japan. Pairs lay a single egg each year in October or November.
Eggs hatch in late December through early January. Chicks
remain near the nest for about 5 months, fledging in June.
After breeding, short-tailed albatrosses
move to feeding areas in the North Pacific. When feeding,
albatrosses alight on the ocean surface and seize their prey,
including squid, fish, and shrimp.
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