Threatened and Endangered Wildlife of Midway Atoll

By Jennifer Bove

The Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) is inextricably linked to Midway: more than 70 percent of the entire world's Laysan albatross population nests on the atoll. During nonbreeding months (July through October), albatross are pelagic. They primarily feed at night, skimming fish, squid, fish eggs, and crustaceans from the ocean surface. Like the Short-tailed albatross, they accidentally ingest floating debris, which they feed to their chicks. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that five tons of plastic are ingested by chicks each year, and one-third die as a result. Listing Status: Near Threatened

Previous

• Threatened and Endangered Wildlife of Midway Atoll
• Laysan Albatross
• Laysan Duck
• Green Sea Turtle
• Hawaiian Monk Seal
• Spinner Dolphin

Next