Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis)

GS 3 species

Key Highlights:

• Oldest Wild Bird: Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, holds the record as the oldest known wild bird at 74 years old, having laid her 60th egg.
• Cultural Significance: Known as “Mōlī” in Hawaiian culture, these birds symbolize good luck and guidance.

Biological Features

1. Longevity:
   • These birds are known for their exceptionally long lifespans, often exceeding 50 years in the wild.
2. Monogamous Pair Bonds:
   • Famous for lifelong monogamy, they form strong pair bonds.
   • They lay one egg per year at most, emphasizing quality parental care.
3. Navigation Skills:
   • Possess remarkable navigation abilities, traveling thousands of miles over open oceans.
   • Can cover hundreds of miles daily with minimal wingbeats, using dynamic soaring to conserve energy.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Status: Near Threatened
  • Threatened by habitat loss, plastic pollution, and fishing gear entanglements.
  • Their long breeding cycles make population recovery slow in the face of disturbances.

Conservation Efforts Needed

1. Marine Protection Zones:
   • Protect critical habitats, especially nesting and feeding grounds.
2. Reduction of Plastic Pollution:
   • Address oceanic plastic debris ingestion, a leading cause of mortality.
3. Sustainable Fishing Practices:
   • Implement bird-safe fishing gear to reduce bycatch incidents.
4. Public Awareness Campaigns:
   • Emphasize their ecological role and cultural importance to foster support for conservation.

Interesting Fact:

Laysan albatrosses can spend years at sea without touching land, returning only to breed, often at the exact location where they were hatched.

Efforts to conserve these majestic birds are essential to preserving their vital role in the marine ecosystem.