Black-footed Albatross

Dark brown body with white eyes.

Scientific name	Diomedea nigripes
English name	Black-footed Albatross
Japanese name	黒足信天翁
Classification	Aves
Classification details	Procellariiformes Diomedeidae
Full length	68-74cm
Distribution	North Pacific

Characteristics

Short-tailed albatross whose whole body is blackish brown. The area around the eyes and the base of the beak are white. Inhabits the North Pacific Ocean and breeds on Torishima and the Ogasawara Islands in Japan.

Ecology

Outside the breeding season, they live in the ocean and can fly for days on end. It glides even in strong winds using its 200 cm wingspan. Eat fish and crustaceans. Breeds in colonies on low-latitude islands.

Habitat

I spotted him approaching a ship bound for Hahajima. There were few seabirds, partly because the sea was stormy, but this individual flew in parallel with the Hahajima Maru for a while. It flew several tens of centimeters above sea level while skillfully reading strong winds. It was also discovered from a boat heading for Chichijima. It was impressive to see a lone bird flying over the sea where the island could not be seen to the horizon.