H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

Waved Albatross – Latin Name: Phoebastria irrorata

Also known as Galapagos Albatross, is the only member of the Diomedeidae family located in the tropics. When they forage, the Waved Albatross follow straight paths to a single site off the coast of Peru, about 1,000 km (620 mi) distant to the east. During the non-breeding season, these birds reside primarily in the areas of the Ecuador and Peruvian coasts.

These are medium-sized albatrosses, measuring about 86–90 cm (34–35 in) long, weighing in at 3.4 kg (7.5 lb), and having a wingspan 2.25m or 7.4 ft. They are distinctive for their yellowish-cream neck and head, which contrasts with their mostly brownish bodies. Even more distinctive is the very long, bright yellow bill, which looks disproportionately large in comparison to the relatively small head and long, slender neck. They also have chestnut brown upper parts and underparts, except for the breast, with fine barring, a little coarser on the rump. They have brown upper-wings, back, and tail, along with a whitish breast and underwings. Their axillaries are brown. Finally they have blue feet. Juveniles are similar to adults except for more white on their head. Chicks have brown fluffy feathers. The lifespan of this species may reach 40 to 45 years.

The Waved Albatross breeds primarily on Española Island in the Galápagos archipelago; however, there have been sightings of non-breeders and therefore possible small numbers, around 10 to 20, of breeders on Genovesa Island and Isla de la Plata. During non-breeding season they will shift to the east and southeast to the continental shelf region off the coast of Peru and Ecuador. Sometimes its looked in Colombia

The primary food sources of the Waved Albatross are fish, squid, and crustaceans. But they have also been observed to scavenge for other food sources, including the regurgitated food of other birds. When foraging the Waved Albatross finds points in the ocean where prey will be more surfaced; this is the most effective way for the albatross to get its food. The Waved Albatrosses will forage 10–100 km (6.2–62 mi) away from the place where the chicks are nesting to get food for them.

The photographs posted today were shot a the closest point I could get near that island, due to the rough sea  and strong current pull, made it too dangerous for approach or land anywhere the surroundings.

NOTE: The Waved Albatross is a new addition in my Bird List as: # 188

View of the island

Rough sea

Waved Albatrosses in flight

There’re some Cormorants also

Text excerpts © Wikipedia – All photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101