Fluffy albatross chicks sit, many patiently, on their ground-based nests, literally every three feet and in every conceivable spot. There are approximately 400,000 nesting pairs of Laysan albatross and 24,000 of black-footed albatross on Midway—they are everywhere the eye can see. Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) and Black-footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) on Midway Atoll. During the course of the study, albatross frequented the island in the areas of the decoy colonies but did not breed. Aptly named for its main breeding ground on Laysan Island, hundreds of thousands of Laysan Albatross descend upon the archipelago for a cacophonous, crowded nesting season.
One of the most affected species is the Laysan albatross. The Laysan Albatross and Black-footed Albatross are two of the 3 species of albatross that occur in Alaskan waters. The Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) is found mainly in the northern Pacific but heads south to breed in the Central Pacific's Hawaiian Archipelago. The Kaua‘i Albatross Network began using albatross decoys in 2010 at several sites to help further their goals of “preserving the vitality of the Laysan Albatross and promoting safe habitat”. While fisheries bycatch clearly has a negative impact on Black-footed Albatross, this study shows Laysan Albatross are at greater risk from island-based threats, such as encroachment of non-native plants like Verbesina on their breeding grounds. Albatross photo by Tonya M. Haff. Studies have estimated that up to 98 percent of Laysan albatross have swallowed plastic debris, which can obstruct their digestive systems. The atoll, home to the world's largest population of Laysan Albatross, has been declared lead-free after a decade-long effort to remove the toxic substance from buildings, sand, and soil. Albatrosses are by far the largest seabirds found in Alaska, but are small compared to many other albatrosses.
Researchers placed Laysan Albatross decoys in pairs simulating courtship rituals on Guadalupe in efforts to entice more individuals to what has become the largest colony in the eastern Pacific. A. Soriano. Albatross chicks hatching on the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge now have one less hazard to face on their journey to adulthood. Black-footed and Laysan albatrosses. Myra Finkelstein’s research focuses on human impacts to wildlife with an emphasis on contaminant-induced effects. Laysan Albatross young have evolved to be able to survive long spells on shore while parents are foraging sometimes thousands of miles away. Adult Laysan Albatross, Midway Atoll, Central Pacific Note dark borders to the underwings and blackish internal underwing markings. Photo courtesy of GECI/J. Laysan Albatross: Threats on Land.

Black-footed Albatross Common Name: Black-footed Albatross Scientific Name: Phoebastria nigripes Description. Occasionally parents can be away from the chicks for a little over 2 weeks, and chicks can lose up to 50 percent of their body weight. They may encounter plastics while feeding as they plunge dive into the ocean to catch fish, squid, and other food.