The Waved Albatross is the only member of the Diomedeidae family located in the tropics. It breeds exclusively on España Island in the Galápagos archipelago. The nests are built on areas of lava with boulders and sparse vegetation. The primary food sources of the Waved Albatross are fish, squid, and crustaceans. But they have also been observed to scavenge for other food sources, including the regurgitated food of other birds.
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| Phoebastria irrorata Salvin, 1883 |
When they need to forage, the Winged Albatross follow straight paths to a single site off the coast of Peru, about 1,000 km distant to the east. During the non-breeding season, these birds reside primarily in the areas of the Ecuador and Peruvian coasts.
The population of Waved Albatrosses on the Galápagos is protected by National Park personnel. But they remain vulnerable to tourism, disease, and the effects of illegal fishing in the nearby waters.
The Waved Albatross is also referred to as the Galapagos Albatross.