Phoebastria irrorata
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waved_albatross
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The Waved Albatross faces severe threats from fisheries bycatch, particularly in longline and gillnet operations throughout its foraging range along the coasts of Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. Climate change and El Niño events disrupt marine food webs, reducing prey availability and forcing birds to travel greater distances to find food. Introduced species on Española Island, including goats and cats, have historically degraded nesting habitat and preyed on eggs and chicks, though control efforts have reduced these impacts.
Habitat
The Waved Albatross breeds exclusively on Española Island in the Galápagos, nesting on rocky coastal areas and cliff tops with sparse vegetation. During the non-breeding season, it ranges widely across the eastern Pacific Ocean, foraging in productive upwelling waters along the coasts of Peru, Ecuador, and northern Chile.
