The Short-tailed Albatross Couple Has Returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge!

While decoys are positioned in the background the "real" male short-tailed albatross, a.k.a. golden gooney, cares for his egg. Photo courtesy of USFWS/Pete Leary.

The same short-tailed albatross couple that reared the first documented chick on Midway Atoll in the Monument last year, has just returned for an encore performance. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists were ecstatic to see them both, first the male - then the female. They soon observed preening activity and then subsequently the female laid an egg on 11/09/11! The Service has expended much effort to attract this endangered species to once again nest on Midway Atoll.

Click Here for more information (you will be directed to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website).