Species Profile
Wandering Albatross
Diomedea exulans
Quick Facts
Conservation
VUVulnerableLifespan
40 years[4]
Length
107–135 cm
Weight
6100–11900 g
Wingspan
251–351 cm
Migration
Long-distance Migrant
Also known as: Snowy Albatross, White-winged Albatross
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Appearance
The Wandering Albatross is renowned for its massive wingspan, the largest of any living bird.
Adults have predominantly white plumage with black wing tips and trailing edges. The face is white with a pink bill tipped yellow.
Males are generally whiter than females, who retain more brown plumage throughout adulthood. Juveniles are dark brown, gradually whitening with age. The species exhibits slight seasonal variation in bill colour.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- White
- Secondary
- Grey
- Beak
- Pink
- Legs
- Pink
Female Colors
- Primary
- White
- Secondary
- Grey
- Beak
- Pink
- Legs
- Pink
Male Markings
Black wings, white tail, large pink beak
Tail: White with black edges
Female Markings
More extensive brown plumage than males
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Wandering Albatrosses inhabit the vast Southern Ocean, circling the globe between 30°S and 60°S. They breed on remote subantarctic islands, including South Georgia, Prince Edward Islands, Crozet Islands, and Macquarie Island.
During non-breeding seasons, they range widely across southern oceans, occasionally reaching waters off southern Australia, New Zealand, and South America. They rarely venture into the northern hemisphere.
Distribution
Diet
Wandering Albatrosses primarily feed on squid, fish, and crustaceans. They often follow ships to scavenge discarded fish and offal.
These birds are known to dive up to 1 meter below the surface to catch prey but mostly seize food items from the ocean's surface during long foraging trips that can last several days.
Behaviour
Wandering Albatrosses are masters of dynamic soaring, using wind currents to glide for hours without flapping their wings. They are known for their elaborate courtship displays, involving sky-calling, bill-clapping, and synchronised walking.
These birds form long-term pair bonds and often return to the same nesting sites year after year.
Calls & Sounds
Wandering Albatrosses are generally silent at sea but vocal on breeding grounds. Their calls include a variety of croaks, whistles, and grunts.
During courtship, they produce a distinctive 'sky-call' - a loud, trumpet-like sound often accompanied by bill-clapping. Chicks emit high-pitched begging calls.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs biennially on isolated subantarctic islands. Pairs engage in elaborate courtship rituals, including sky-calling and synchronised walking, before mating. The breeding season typically begins in December.
Nests are large, cone-shaped mounds of mud, vegetation, and feathers built on exposed ridges or slopes. Females lay a single white egg with reddish-brown spots.
Both parents share incubation duties for about 78 days. Chicks fledge after 278 days, one of the longest fledging periods of any bird species.
Conservation
The Wandering Albatross is classified as Vulnerable due to long-term population declines. Major threats include longline fishing, where birds are accidentally caught on baited hooks and plastic pollution in the oceans.
Conservation efforts focus on implementing bird-friendly fishing practices and reducing marine debris.
Population
Estimated: 20,100 mature individuals[3]
Trend: Decreasing[2]
Slow but steady population decrease due to threats
Elevation
Sea level to 5 meters above sea surface
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- 10cm x 7cm
- Predators:
- Adult Wandering Albatrosses have few natural predators. However, eggs and chicks are vulnerable to introduced species such as rats, cats, and mice on breeding islands.
- Alarm calls:
- Loud, harsh squawks
- Breeding age:
- 11
- Maturity age:
- 7-10
- Feeding times:
- Day and night
- Major threats:
- Longline fishing, plastic ingestion, climate change
- Parental care:
- Both parents incubate and feed chick
- Primary calls:
- Series of grunts and whistles
- Social habits:
- Solitary at sea, social on breeding grounds
- Egg appearance:
- White, oval
- Feeding habits:
- Surface seizes and scavenges
- Breeding season:
- Every other year
- Diet variations:
- May eat carrion
- Fledging period:
- Approximately 9 months
- Average lifespan:
- 40
- Call description:
- Most vocal on breeding grounds, otherwise silent
- Daily activities:
- Active during day, rests on water surface at night
- Nesting location:
- On ground on isolated islands
- Number of broods:
- Once every two years
- Incubation period:
- Around 80 days
- Nest construction:
- Mound of mud and vegetation
- Migration patterns:
- Non-migratory but wanders widely at sea
- Migratory patterns:
- Long-distance ocean wanderer
- Age related changes:
- Younger birds are darker, gain white plumage with age
- Prey capture method:
- Plunge-diving, surface-seizing
- Conservation efforts:
- Protected under international law, conservation programs on breeding islands
- Territorial behavior:
- Defends nest site during breeding season
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, long-term pair bonds
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- Single egg
- Interaction with other species:
- Occasionally forms loose flocks at sea
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them in the Southern Ocean, particularly around subantarctic islands
- Observe their distinctive gliding flight pattern with wings held stiff
- Watch for their impressive courtship displays during the breeding season
- Join pelagic birding trips for the best chances of sighting
- Use powerful binoculars or a spotting scope for distant identification
Did You Know?
- Wandering Albatrosses can fly up to 950 km (590 miles) in a single day.
- They have special nasal passages that allow them to desalinate seawater.
- These birds can live for over 50 years in the wild. Anecdotal reports suggest they may live up to 60 years.
Records & Accolades
Longest Wingspan
Up to 3.65 m (12 ft) wingspan
Largest wingspan of any living bird
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