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Creature Feature Laysan Albatross

Frequent Flier Miles

Laysan albatrosses and other albatross species are among the great travelers of the ocean. After they fledge, they may spend as many as five years at sea before returning to land to nest. Mature Laysan albatrosses nest at large colonies in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, and may travel all the way to national marine sanctuaries along the West Coast during non-breeding seasons. The oldest known bird in the world, Wisdom, is a Laysan albatross. She is at least 68 years old, and is still laying eggs with her partner, Akeakamai!

Laysan albatrosses often ingest floating plastic, mistaking it for food. An estimated five tons of plastic are fed to albatross chicks each year at Midway Atoll. You can help Laysan albatrosses by reducing, reusing, recycling, repurposing, and refusing plastic.