Everything about The Black-footed Albatross totally explained
The
Black-footed Albatross,
Phoebastria nigripes, is a large
seabird from the
North Pacific. It is one of three
albatross that range in the
northern hemisphere, nesting on isolated
tropical islands.
Description
The
Black-footed Albatross is a small member of the
family (while still large compared to most other seabirds) that has almost all black
plumage. 10% of individuals have white
feathers at the base of the tail, and all
adults have white markings around the base of the
beak and below the
eye. Its beak and feet are also all dark. They average at about 81 cm (32 in) in length, weigh about 3.3 kg (7.4 lbs) and have a wingspan of 2.1 m (6.9 ft).
Breeding
The Black-footed Albatross, like the rest of its family, forms long term pair-bonds that last for life. After
fledging the birds return to the colony after three years, and spend two years building
nests, dancing and being with prospective mates, a behaviour that probably evolved to ensure maximum trust between the
birds (raising an albatross chick is a massive
energetic investment, and a long courting period establishes for both birds that the other is committed).
Nests are simple depressions scraped in the
sand, into which one
egg is laid. The egg is incubated for just over two months (65 days). Both birds incubate the egg, the male incubating more as the female leaves soon after hatching to recoup reserves used for egg-laying. The average time spent on incubating shifts is 18 days. However, mates can wait up to 38 days to be relieved, and if something happens to the mate the other has been recorded incubating for 49 days without food or water.
The chick is brooded for 20 days by its parents, after which both parents leave the nest and return to feed the chick. The chick is fed regurgitated food by sticking its bill inside that of its parent.
Fledging occurs after 140 days.
Feeding
The Black-footed Albatross feeds in
pelagic waters, taking
fish, mostly the eggs of
flying fish,
squid and to a lesser extent
crustaceans. It has been described as a 'floating pig' by one author for its habit of taking kitchen scraps from ships. It will also consume floating
debris, including
plastics.
Conservation
The Black-footed Albatross is considered endangered, because it's taken incidentally by
long-line fishing. An estimated 4,000 are taken every year, based on the number taken in
1990; other estimates put the number at 8,000. It is also vulnerable to oil and ingestion of floating plastics, which reduces the space in the
stomach available for food to be brought to the chick. All of its nesting sites in the U.S. are protected.
Gallery
Image:Dance of Black-footed Albatrosses1.jpg|The dance at Midway Atoll
Image:Black-footed Albatrosses dance2.jpg|The dance at Midway Atoll
Image:Black-footed Albatross are dancing.jpg|The dance at Midway Atoll
Further Information
Get more info on 'Black-footed Albatross'.
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