The Waved Albatross

The waved albatross, scientifically known as the Phoebastria irrorata, is the largest bird found in the Galápagos Islands with a wingspan of up to two and a half meters. They spend most of their time out on the open ocean, gliding effortlessly through the air, hunting squid and fish and congregating on the surface of the sea in large groups knows as rafts.

When waved albatrosses are in breeding season, April to June, they are found mainly on Española, however they can be found throughout the region from June onwards. The best time to catch the unusual courtship dances is in April when breeding has just begun.

After a year of rearing the chicks, offspring are ready to leave for the open ocean by January and all waved albatrosses migrate away from the islands until March. If you really want to see these majestic birds, January to March is not the best time to come.

From land or boat, you will see waved albatrosses soaring through the sky, so be sure to bring binoculars. You will also be able to see them up close during land exploration, especially on Española island, during breeding season.

While there are estimated between 50,000 - 70,000 waved albatrosses on the planet, they are considered endangered due to human activity and pollution.

• Long-line fishing boats cover hundreds of miles, using baited hooks to catch fish. This is turn attracts birds, causing them to get hooked and dragged under the water with no way of escaping.
• Various human-caused pollution also threatens waved albatrosses including plastic pollution, oil spills and chemicals.
• There has been a dramatic increase over the past few years in harvesting waved albatrosses for human consumption and and for their feathers.
• Goats were introduced by humans, but removed due to overgrazing. With the regrowth of vegetation, some waved albatross colonies have been lost as vegetation has taken over what was once bare rocks.
• Unusual behavior has also been observed including parents rolling the eggs, which cracks them, and unexplained mass desertions of of eggs. With only one egg per couple, recovering these lost numbers is very difficult.

Conservation Efforts

• Long-line fishing on an industrial scale is banned within the Galápagos Island's waters, although independent fishing still takes place.
• Organizations are attempting to make fishermen use bird scaring devices and underwater line launching so that birds aren't attracted to the lines.
• Conservation groups have previously visited Española Island to clear the overgrowth of vegetation that blocks the 'runways' needed for take-off and landing.