FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) of the order Procellariiformes, family Diomedeidae, and genus Phoebastria is a majestic and giant bird found in the Pacific Ocean around North America and in the northwestern Hawaiian islands. In particular, they are named after the Laysan island where they have a breeding colony. Here, they are the second most commonly found seabird.
Laysan albatrosses are from the order Procellariiformes, family Diomedeidae, and genus Phoebastria and they breed on islands. Similar species include other albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters.
These brilliant birds are amazing because they are said to be able to fly endlessly without landing. However, over recent years they have started to become more endangered, mostly because of fishing. They currently have the conservation status Near Threatened and there are lots of ongoing efforts toward their conservation. You can learn more about them to help spread awareness.
To understand more about the Laysan albatross keep on reading these facts. If you want to become a true albatross and wildlife expert, why not read about the wandering albatross and the Muscovy duck too?
The Laysan albatross (phoebastra immutabilis) is a type of seabird that is part of the Aves classification.
A Laysan albatross is a bird and falls under the Aves classification.
There are roughly 2.5 million Laysan albatrosses in the world.
These birds spend most of their lives by the ocean, in particular the Pacific Ocean. They nest on sandy or grassy islands close to the sea.
The habitat of these birds is on or by open water. During the breeding season, they prefer to stay on a sandy island habitat to nest. They can be found on Laysan Island, the Midway Atoll, and other Hawaiian islands. When it is not their breeding season, they stay in the open ocean far away from land. These birds stay in the cold Pacific Ocean and are limited to the northern hemisphere. Other types of albatross birds live in the southern hemisphere.
Laysan albatrosses find a mate who they are loyal to for life. They are often seen breeding in colonies among other species of albatross birds. The breeding pairs live with their hatched chicks until they are old enough to leave the nest.
The typical Laysan albatross lifespan is up to 40 years old, they are known to be a long-living bird.
Laysan albatrosses start to breed from about eight years old, and they can breed annually until they are 40 years old. They breed with their mate, who they stick with for life. These birds only go to land to breed, where they form a large breeding colony. Mates build a nest together in the ground. The nest has a space to fit an egg comfortably. Mating pairs produce one egg at a time, which they take care of in the nest together. Interestingly, research has discovered instances of Laysan albatross homosexuality, and that two females can be mates. A female pair will create a nest together and look after an egg that has been fertilized by a male.
The conservation status of these birds is Near Threatened. They are threatened for a few reasons. Firstly, because of fisheries. These birds are attracted to bait on long lines used to catch big fish such as tuna. They often get caught on the hooks, and can get dragged under the sea, or left stuck at the surface of the sea. Research has found that 100,000 birds of the albatross species are killed like this every single year.
Secondly, they ingest a lot of plastic. These birds feed on squid, fish, and fish eggs found on the surface of the ocean but they may also consume plastic, mistaking it for food. Laysan albatross plastic consumption can lead to illness and death. Thirdly, some Laysan albatrosses on Midway Atoll are found to have lead poisoning after eating lead paint chips from buildings left behind by the Navy on the island. Finally, albatrosses breed on land, and many young birds, chicks, and eggs have become prey to wild cats, dogs, and rats.
The Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) is a giant bird with a huge wingspan. They have a distinct coloring from other albatross species in the North Pacific, such as the black-footed albatross, which is typically all black. They have coloring similar to a seagull and have a dark gray, black, and white plumage. Their wings are dark gray, they have dark markings on their head and they also have a pink bill with a black tip.
Laysan albatrosses are definitely cute when they are a young chick. Fully grown albatrosses are not particularly cute, but they definitely have a majestic and powerful look to them because of their size.
Laysan albatrosses make squeaking, grunting, and whining noises, especially during the breeding season. When courting for a mate, the pair click their bills in unison. When incubating their egg, they also make noises to each other.
A fully grown adult Laysan albatross is pretty big. The typical Laysan albatross size is roughly 32 in (81 cm) in length, from head to the tip of their tail. When these birds spread their wings, their wingspan is within a range of 77-80 in (95-203 cm). This makes them bigger than most humans!
Laysan albatrosses can fly very fast and cover hundreds of miles in one day. The Laysan albatross wingspan is so large it allows them to glide through the air and wind with ease and speed. They do something called dynamic soaring, which involves rising into the wind and descending below it to gain maximum momentum. This flight pattern enables them to fly up to 621 miles (1000 km) without beating their wings.
Males weigh a range of 5.3–9 lb (2.4-4.1 kg) but a female of the species is a little smaller than a male, weighing within a range of 4.2–7.9 lb (1.9-3.6 kg).
Females and males of this species are both called Laysan albatrosses.
A baby is called a Laysan albatross chick, just like other species of bird.
The Laysan albatross feeds on fish eggs, squid, fish, crustaceans, floating carrion, and some discards thrown from fishing boats. Laysan albatrosses feed by sitting on the water and dunking their beaks into the surface of the sea to get their food. Adults go foraging for up to 17 days and travel up to 1,600 miles (2,575 km) to find food for their young. When back at the breeding colony, to feed Laysan albatross chicks, they regurgitate the food found at sea that they have stored in their stomachs.
Laysan albatrosses are not dangerous. Some research found that Laysan albatrosses are not known to be violent to other members of the breeding colony. There is not much evidence of whether they are dangerous to humans.
Laysan albatrosses would definitely not make good pets. They are giant birds, that need to be able to soar in the sky and live near the ocean.
The courting between a pair of Laysan albatrosses is said to involve an elaborate courtship display consisting of a Laysan albatross mating dance and noises.
The world's oldest wild bird is a Laysan albatross called Wisdom. She was identified in 1956, is currently still alive, and is at least 70 years old!
Even though they are very big, they are among the smallest of albatrosses.
Albatrosses can drink seawater without getting dehydrated thanks to their tubenose which allows them to secrete salt.
One Laysan albatross once made its way to Midway Island all the way from The Philippines, traveling a distance of 4,120 miles (6,630 km).
You can help to protect these birds by reducing your plastic intake and ensuring proper recycling practices. You can also protect the albatross population by opting for sustainably caught seafood.
They sometimes can also be found in the sea next to Mexico and Japan.
A Laysan albatross egg is normally 4 in (10.8 cm) tall and 2.7 in (6.9 cm) wide. An egg needs to incubate for up to 66 days.
Laysan albatrosses fly by dynamic soaring using the wind to fly and save energy. This allows these birds to soar without even flapping their wings. No one knows exactly how long a Laysan albatross can fly without stopping, but it is said they can fly forever. They even sleep in the air!
It is difficult to tell a male Laysan albatross from a female one. The biggest difference is that females are normally smaller in size than males.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including the brant, or the macaw.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our laysan albatross coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.