0 the laysan albatross , phoebastria immutabilis , is a large seabird that ranges across the north pacific .
1  this small (for its family) two-tone gull-like albatross is the second most common seabird in the hawaiian islands , with an estimated population of 2.5 million birds , and is currently expanding (or possibly re-expanding) its range to new islands .
2  the laysan albatross was first described as diomedea immutabilis by lionel walter rothschild , in 1893, based on a specimen from laysan island .
3 it is named for laysan , one of its breeding colonies in the northwestern hawaiian islands .
4 the laysan albatross averages {convert|81|cm|in|abbr=on} in length , and has a wingspan of {convert|195|to(-)|203|cm|in|abbr=on}, .
5  males , which weigh {convert|2.4|to(-)|4.1|kg|lb|abbr=on}, being larger than females , which weigh {convert|1.9|to(-)|3.6|kg|lb|abbr=on} .
6  this albatross has blackish-grey upperwing , mantle , back , upper rump , and tail , and their head , lower rump , and underparts are white .
7  it has a black smudge around the eye , and its underwing pattern varies between individuals , with some having narrower black margins and variable amounts of black in the underwing coverts .
8  finally , their bill is pink with a dark tip .
9  juveniles have a grey bill and a dark upper rump .
10  they do not have a breeding plumage .
11 the laysan albatross is usually easy to identify , in the north pacific it is simple to separate from the other relatively common albatross , the all black black-footed albatross .
12  it can be distinguished from the very rare short-tailed albatross by its all dark back and smaller size .
13  the laysan albatross' plumage has been compared to that of a gull , two tone with a dark grey mantle and wings , and white underside and head .
