Waved albatross (Diomedea irrorata) chick almost ready for flight at breeding colony on Espanola Island, Galapagos Islands, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ecuador, South America

waved albatross chick flight breeding colony espanola island galapagos islands wildlife nature conservation unesco south america seabird habitat nestling young birdwatching ecology animal behavior marine environment avian feathers biodiversity parenting egg nesting marine life evolution ornithology feeding flight readiness territory migration environment grasslands coastal species conservation efforts natural habitat animal kingdom island wildlife ecological importance life cycle chick development wildlife preservation animal welfare conservation biology endangered species ecosystems natural history