Waved Albatross

The Waved Albatross is the only albatross species adapted to breed in tropical waters, nesting almost entirely on Española Island in the Galapagos archipelago. Adults have a warm buffy-yellow wash across the head and neck, a body finely marked with brown "waved" barring that gives the species its name, and a notably long, bright yellow bill.

This species relies on the cool, food-rich Humboldt and Cromwell Currents that reach the Galapagos, which make life possible for a cold-water-adapted seabird so close to the equator. Its dependence on a single nesting island makes it one of the most range-restricted albatross species in the world.

Waved Albatrosses are famous for an elaborate courtship ritual involving synchronized bill-circling and fencing, bowing, and a distinctive loud bill-clacking display performed by pairs on the ground.

Key field marks

• Buffy-yellow wash across the head and neck contrasting with a brown, finely barred body
• Long, bright yellow bill, notably longer than in most other albatrosses
• Pale bluish legs and feet

Similar species

• No other albatross species regularly occurs in the tropical eastern Pacific, and the combination of a yellow bill with warm-toned head and barred brown body is unique among albatrosses, making misidentification unlikely.

Waved Albatrosses breed almost exclusively on Española Island in the Galapagos, with a very small number nesting on nearby Isla de la Plata off Ecuador. Colonies are located on rocky, semi-open lava terrain used as a runway for the long takeoffs and landings this large bird requires.

Outside the breeding season, the species disperses to forage in the cool, productive waters of the Humboldt Current off the coasts of Ecuador and Peru, rather than ranging widely across open ocean like many other albatrosses.

Voice

Courting pairs perform loud bill-clacking and a distinctive "woo-hoo" call during their elaborate ground display, one of the most theatrical courtship rituals among seabirds.

Feeding

They feed mainly on squid and fish caught at or near the surface, and are also known to scavenge regurgitated food and offal from other seabirds such as boobies.

Nesting and breeding

Pairs perform an extended courtship dance involving bill-circling, bowing, and clacking before laying a single egg on bare ground rather than in a constructed nest. Both parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties over several months on the breeding island.