The only dark albatross of the northern Pacific Ocean, the Black-footed Albatross nests primarily on the Hawaiian Islands. It wanders widely across the northern Pacific for most of the year, and is regularly seen off the west coast of North America.
Far less abundant than Laysan Albatross. Total population estimated at significantly fewer than 100,000 pairs. In the past, thousands were killed annually by drift nets and longline fisheries.
Open ocean. In foraging at sea, most common over upwellings or over continental shelf, but rarely close to shore.