Black-browed albatross. Photos from Falkland Islands

Black-browed albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys) is a large seabird - the most common of all albatrosses. It is the classified as Endangered on the IUCN list due to a drastic reduction in the population.

Most af the Black-browed albatrosses breed on Steeple Jason Island in the Falkland Islands:
From gallery of Albatross pictures

Black-browed albatross colony on Steeple Jason Island

More than half of all Black-browed albatrosses breed here. The colony counts more than 200.000 birds. It is an impressive sight and an awesome experience to be there.

The Black-browed albatross is an impressive bird with a wingspan of up to 2.4 meter.
From Photo gallery Albatross photo galley

Flying Black-browed albatross prepare to land

They have to use all the tricks in the book to land - feet out etc.

Black-browed albatrosses maid for life, and they use 4-5 years to find the right partner before they breed for the fist time at about 10 years of age.

From Albatross photos - an endangered seabird

Mating ritual of Black-browed albatross

Hopefully this pair will breed next year to help fighting the decreasing population.


Black-browed albatross chick is being fed

And hopefully their chick will be fed regularly and not be left alone too much.


Black-browed albatross chick in nest

Save the Albatross

If nothing is done then these elegant seabirds will be extinct in about 40-50 years. Illegal long line fishing and global warming have placed this species - as well as most other albatrosses - on the IUCN list of endangered species.
Lots of organizations are trying to save the albatross from extinction. Here are a few of them:
Birdlife - Save the albatross
Conservation Campaign Fights to Save Albatrosses
Forest and bird - Save the albatross

They all need your help to save the Albatrosses - The kings of the Southern Oceans.