Short-tailed Albatross

Wildlife biologists at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, part of the co-managed Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, have banded the first confirmed short-tailed albatross chick hatched outside of Japan. The five-month old chick received a permanent metal band on its right leg and a red-and-white one coded "AA00" on its left. When the bird fledges, the bands will help biologists track this extremely rare and endangered seabird to learn where it will one day go to nest. Most albatross return to the island where they were hatched.

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Short-tailed Albatross banding day. Credit: USFWS Pacific