The albatross is a giant seabird that is native to some islands of the south Pacific. You won’t find it in the Atlantic. The bird is characterized by its huge size and tremendous wing span. One species called the Laysan albatross is native to an island off Hawaii. The US government declared that island a protected monument, as more than half a million nesting pairs congregate there every year. The bird is renowned for its elegant flying style, bumpy landing pattern and complicated mating rituals. Around January, every year the birds eggs hatch and much time goes in their caring and nurturing. By August the chicks grow into adults, and all fly away by the end of September. The birds spend most of the time gliding over the ocean. They survive on squid, krill and fish picked up by surface diving. Poaching the birds for their excellent feathers, over fishing in the oceans, and massive plastic pollution, have driven many species to extinction. This has been reduced considerably, and now a concerted international effort is being made to protect these remarkable birds.