The Waved Albatross, the largest bird in the Galápagos, features an impressive wingspan of up to 2.5 meters. Both males and females have a white head with a creamy yellow crown and neck, while their bodies are predominantly chestnut brown, with a white breast and underwings. Their long, dull yellow bills seem oversized for their relatively small heads, and they have bluish feet. The bird is named after the distinctive wave-like patterns on its wings. Known for their exceptional gliding ability, Waved Albatrosses spend most of their lives soaring over the open ocean. During the non-breeding season and while raising chicks, the entire population migrates to the waters between the Galápagos and the coasts of Colombia and Peru, often gathering in large groups known as rafts on the sea’s surface. Their diet consists mainly of fish, squid, and other invertebrates, with a preference for nighttime feeding when squid are nearer to the surface. They are also opportunistic feeders, sometimes scavenging near fishing boats or stealing food from other seabirds like boobies. One of the most intriguing aspects of the Waved Albatross is its complex courtship dance. This ritual includes synchronized movements such as bill circling, bill clacking, head nodding, a waddling walk, and a unique moo-like sound. The courtship is especially elaborate for new pairs or pairs that did not successfully breed in the previous season. Waved Albatrosses are monogamous, forming lifelong pairs. Each breeding season, the female lays a single egg on bare ground. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the egg, which takes about two months to hatch. After hatching, the chicks are often grouped into ‘nurseries’ while the parents go off to forage. Upon their return, the parents feed the chicks by regurgitating a nutrient-rich, oily liquid. After approximately five and a half months, the chicks are ready to fledge. Once fledged, they spend up to six years at sea before returning to find a mate. The global population of Waved Albatrosses is estimated to be between 50,000 and 70,000 individuals, with about 12,000 breeding pairs. A small population of fewer than 20 breeding pairs also exists on Isla de la Plata, off the coast of mainland Ecuador.