Albatross Numbers

There are many interesting and rare birds on Midway Atoll but the albatrosses are the real poster child for the refuge. Here are some very rough figures on the populations we are counting and how they rank in the world. Midway is the largest albatross colony on the planet. About 75-80% of all The Laysan Albatross on Earth nest here. The percentage for Black-footed albatross is a little lower at 40-50% of the world's population nesting here. We are counting all the breeders of both species on Midway so it is an unprecedented look at a large population of birds of any kind anywhere on earth. It is a rare treat to be involved with a project of this magnitude! Laysan Albatross with egg in the top picture and Black-footed Albatross with chicks in the lower picture