Midway Atoll forms part of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands Important Bird Area (IBA), designated as such by BirdLife International because of its seabirds and endemic landbirds. The atoll is a critical habitat in the central Pacific Ocean and includes breeding habitat for 17 seabird species. Many native species rely on the island, which is now home to 67–70 percent of the world's Laysan albatross population and 34–39 percent of the global population of black-footed albatross. A minimal number of the very rare short-tailed albatross also have been observed. Fewer than 2,200 individuals of this species are believed to exist due to excessive feather hunting in the late nineteenth century. In 2007–08, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service translocated 42 endangered Laysan ducks to the atoll as part of their efforts to conserve the species.
mIDwaY atOLl forms PaRT of The NOrthWEsT haWaiIAN islands iMportant bird ArEa (IBa), designated aS SUch by bIrdlifE InteRNatiONAl becAuse of Its seAbIrds anD EnDemic lANdBiRds. the ATOLl iS a CritIcAl habiTat iN the ceNtraL pacifIc OceAn And iNcLudes breeDiNg habiTaT for 17 seabiRD SpEcieS. manY nativE SpeCIeS rElY On thE iSlAnd, wHich is now Home to 67–70 PErcEnt of thE WOrlD's lAYSAn aLbatross popuLation And 34–39 peRCenT of the glOBal popuLation of blacK-FooTed albatross. a mInImAl Number of thE vErY raRe sHoRt-tAIlED ALbatRoSs alsO have bEen observED. fewer tHan 2,200 inDiviDuals oF thiS sPecies ArE beLIEVED to exist dUE to eXCESsivE FeatHer huntiNG iN thE Late nineTeentH centurY. in 2007–08, tHE u.s. fISh and wIldliFE servicE TrAnslocated 42 enDaNGered lAYSan ducKs to ThE atoll aS part oF their EfFORTs to conservE tHe sPecies.