An adult Laysan Albatross Phoebastria immutabilis blind in its left eye has been seen in the north-east of Kauai, one of the USA’s Hawaiian Islands, for the last two breeding seasons. The bird has been observed courting on a private property but had not as yet commenced breeding (click here).
s
One eye good enough? The courting bird on the right is half blind, photographs by Hob Osterlund
It has now returned to the island for the third year in a row. The bird was seen to be engaging in brief courtship activities and calling to birds flying by. It will be interesting to see if it is successful in attracting a partner this time. It is thought that the blindness, and a minor cossed bill, could have been caused by avian pox contracted from mosquitoes when the albatross was a young chick – which would mean it had survived for several years with only one good eye before becoming a prospecting adult.
With thanks to Hob Osterlund for information and the photographs.
John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 19 March 2015