The black-footed albatross is 25.2-29.1 inches (64-73.9 cm) in length with a wingspan of 6-7 feet (1.8-2.1 m).
It has brown-to-black feathers with white around its eyes and bill. It has a large brown bill with a curved tip and black feet.
Males are larger than females.
The black-footed albatross is found on open ocean waters and ocean islands.
The black-footed albatross nests in colonies on islands. Mating season runs from November to February. Females and males do a mating ritual that involves twining their necks together and flapping their wings.
Females lay one egg in a shallow depression in the ground. Both the male and the female incubate the egg and feed the chick regurgitated (swallowed and brought back up) food.
Once a chick leaves the nest, it won’t return to the breeding island for five or six years, when it is fully mature.
The black-footed albatross mates for life. It has a lifespan of up to 40 years in the wild.
The black-footed albatross chases other predators away from its food by spreading its wings and screaming at them.
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The black-footed albatross breeds on islands in the mid-Pacific Ocean. Non-breeding albatrosses can be found along the Pacific coast of North America.
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