Black-footed Albatross
Phoebastria nigripes
The Black-footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) is a uncommon albatross found in 6 countries, weighing about 3.2 kg. The black-footed albatross is a large seabird of the albatross family Diomedeidae from the North Pacific.
About the Black-footed Albatross
The black-footed albatross is a large seabird of the albatross family Diomedeidae from the North Pacific. All but 2.5% of the population is found among the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It is one of three species of albatross that range in the Northern Hemisphere, nesting on isolated tropical islands. Unlike many albatrosses, it is dark plumaged.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The black-footed albatross is a small member of the albatross family (while still large compared to most other seabirds) that has almost all black plumage. Some adults show white undertail coverts, and all adults have white markings around the base of the beak and below the eye. As the birds age they acquire more white at the base of the beak. Its beak and feet are also all dark. They have only the one plumage. They measure 68 to 74 cm (27–29 in), have a wingspan of 190 to 220 cm (6.2–7.2 ft), and weigh 2.6–4.3 kg (5.7–9.5 lb). Males, at an average weight of 3.4 kg (7.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: April, May, July, August, September, October, with peak activity in September. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Black-footed Albatross?
- The black-footed albatross is a small member of the albatross family (while still large compared to most other seabirds) that has almost all black plumage. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Black-footed Albatross?
- The Black-footed Albatross is a huge sized bird weighing about 3.2 kg.
- Where can you see a Black-footed Albatross?
- The Black-footed Albatross occurs in 6 countries, including the United States, Taiwan, Canada, Japan and Mexico.
- What birds look similar to a Black-footed Albatross?
- The Black-footed Albatross is most easily confused with the Laysan Albatross, the Waved Albatross and the Short-tailed Albatross.
- Is the Black-footed Albatross endangered?
- The Black-footed Albatross is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Black-footed Albatross for real
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