---
title: "A one-eyed Laysan Albatross is looking for a mate on Kauai for the third year"
---

# A one-eyed Laysan Albatross is looking for a mate on Kauai for the third year

An adult Laysan Albatross *Phoebastria immutabilis* blind in its left eye has been seen in the [north-east of Kauai](http://www.acap.aq/en/news/latest-news/1970-acap-breeding-site-no-75-north-east-kauai-where-laysan-albatrosses-breed-on-private-lands-and-a-webcam-has-made-one-pair-and-its-chick-famous-with-two-million-hits), 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](http://www.acap.aq/en/news/latest-news/2011-one-eyed-albatrosses-can-make-it-through-life)).

 s![](https://www.acap.aq/images/Layasan_one_eye_Hob_Osterlund_s.jpg)

 ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/L/Laysan/Half_blind_Laysan_Hob_Osterlund.jpg)

 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*