The only dark albatross of the northern Pacific Ocean, the Black-footed Albatross nests primarily on the Hawaiian Islands. It wanders widely across the northern Pacific for most of the year, and is regularly seen off the west coast of North America.
The Black-footed Albatross has a keen sense of smell, which it uses to locate food across vast expanses of ocean.
The Black-footed Albatross drinks seawater and excretes excess salt through glands above the eyes.
The Black-footed Albatross has a number of apparent adaptations to stay cool at hot, exposed nest sites. These include an extensive network of blood vessels in the head, as well as a habit of raising the feet off the ground.
The oldest recorded Black-footed Albatross was a male, and at least 42 years, 1 month old, when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations.
Seabirds
