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Waved albatross
Breeding pairs remaining in the world: 15,600-18,200
Where do they breed?: Galapagos
Wingspan: 230-240 cm
Length (beak to tail): 89 cm
Average lifespan: Up to 30 years
Diet: Mainly squid and fish
Scientific name:Phoebastria irrorata
Threat level: Critically Endangered
Why they need your help
Nearly all of the world's waved albatrosses breed on one island in the Galapagos group, making it the only truly tropical albatross.
Unfortunately, by nesting on only one island, the waved albatross literally put their eggs in one basket, and there is evidence to suggest that this species is experiencing a population decline.
One reason for this decline is due to the move away from traditional fishing methods in the surrounding area.
Longlining may be banned in the Galapagos Marine Reserve, but as waved albatrosses roam further than the reserve boundary, they come into contact with both Peruvian and Ecuadorian fishing fleets.
Some of the population is also threatened from predation by rats and cats, plus the illegal collection of eggs, and an increase in the number of birds taken to supply the feather market.
Following the removal of goats from the island, some inland breeding sites have become overgrown with vegetation. This reduces the amount of suitable nesting habitat and makes an already small breeding area, even smaller.