The bird glides over remote expanses of the North Pacific, most frequently the productive edge of the outer continental shelf where food is most abundant. In this ocean realm, it is among the most accomplished flyers in evolutionary history. Torishima is warm, windy and far away from humans, making it an ideal location to come ashore to nest. After taking their first flights, they head northeast past Kamchatka, Russia, to the stormy waters off Alaska and range as far east as Baja, Mexico, living entirely at sea for their first three or four years. They will spend about half of their remaining 30 to 50 years on and around their nest islands, and the other half away at sea.
Landings can become dangerous bellyflops, takeoffs difficult, walking a chore.
Throughout the mating season, they circle each other, make high-pitched calls, point at the sky and rapidly clack their bills. Once they have found a mate, usually by five to seven years of age, they stay monogamous for life, often returning to the same nest year after year. After a series of short copulations, females fly off to sea for nourishment, returning in about 10 days to lay the couple's one and only egg of the season, equal in size to about six chicken eggs. By late October, a two-month incubation ritual begins. The patience and commitment of the incubating albatross is legendary.