During these months Laysans are distributed throughout the northwestern and northeastern range of the Pacific. If one of the mates should die, they will most likely create a new pair bond. Nests are made up of surrounding grasses, dirt or shrubbery and are piled into large mounds that form a nest cup. Laying begins in mid-November. One egg is laid and incubation lasts about 65 days.
Incubation starts with the female who usually stays for a short two day span.
The male then takes over for as long as three weeks. If the egg is infertile or breaks during incubation, re-laying will not occur that year. Chicks hatch during late January to mid-February. Chicks live off a diet of flying fish eggs and squid oil, a product that is rich in fat. Both parents will feed the chick by regurgitation and will often leave them for several days while they obtain food out at sea.