Rare Galapagos Albatross Makes Historic 3,000-Mile Journey to California Coast

• A critically endangered waved albatross from the Galapagos Islands was sighted off California's central coast, marking only the second recorded instance north of Central America.
• The seabird traveled approximately 3,000 miles from its usual breeding grounds, primarily Española Island in the Galapagos archipelago.
• Scientists observed the albatross near Point Piedras Blancas, California, on January 23, 2026, during a research cruise.
• This extraordinary detour, possibly by the same bird sighted in October 2025, has puzzled researchers and raised questions about seabird movement and ocean ecology.
• Waved albatrosses are large ocean-going birds with up to an 8-foot wingspan, typically adapted to tropical waters and feeding on fish, squid, and crustaceans.

Why It Matters: A rare Galapagos albatross made an unprecedented 3,000-mile journey to California, baffling scientists.