Waved Albatross

The Waved Albatross, Phoebastria irrorata, is the only member of the Diomedeidae family located in the tropics. It breeds exclusively on Española Island in the Galapagos archipelago. During the non-breeding season, these birds reside primarily in the areas of the Ecuador and Peruvian coasts.

The nests are built on areas of lava with boulders and sparse vegetation. 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 they need to forage, the Waved Albatross follow straight paths to a single site off the coast of Peru, about 1,000 km distant to the east.

The population of Waved Albatrosses on the Galapagos is protected by national park personnel. But they remain vulnerable to long-line fishing, tourism, disease, and the effects of illegal fishing in the nearby waters.

The Waved Albatross is also referred to as the Galapagos Albatross.