Courting Laysan Albatross

A group of four large white birds. Two are dancing together, one has its beak open. They are in a forest, with a blue sky behind them.
Photo By/Credit
Laurel Smith/USFWS
Date Shot/Created
05/23/2023
Media Usage Rights/License
Public Domain
Image
Mōlī or Laysan albatross perform complex courting rituals, including head bobbing, rapid beak clapping, and sky-pointing at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Both male-female and female-female breeding pairs bond will begin their pair bonding with these same rituals.
Facility
Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Ecosystem
Coastal
Species
Diomedea immutabilis
Staff
Laurel Smith
Subject tags
Seabirds