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Wandering Albatross

The Wandering Albatross is a massive bird known by many names. In various regions, people call this bird a Snowy Albatross, Goonie, and White Winged Albatross.

Not only are they the largest of the 22 albatross species, but they also have the longest wingspan of any bird. Their wings commonly measure up to 10 ft. across, and the largest confirmed specimen had a wingspan over 12 ft. across! Read on to learn about the Wandering Albatross .

Description of the Wandering Albatross

This species of albatross has white plumage, or feathers, with darker wings. Their wing feathers are black, and speckled with varying degrees of white. Young birds have brown feathers, which become white as they age.

This bird’s wingspan is quite large, and averages 10 feet across, though some individuals are larger. Finally, their beaks are moderately long, with a hook at the end to help grasp fish.

Interesting Facts About the Wandering Albatross

This species has the longest wingspan of any living bird … Ever! However, that is not the only notable thing about the Wandering Albatross.

• Monogamous Mates – Once a Wandering Albatross has found a suitable mate, it continues to breed with that bird for the rest of its life. They are doting parents, and take great care in rearing their chicks. It sometimes takes up to 10 months for the chick to learn how to fly and become independent of its parents.
• Time Constraints – Obviously when it takes 10 months to raise a single chick, it can be difficult to jump right back into parenthood. For this reason, Wandering Albatrosses breed once every 2 years.
• Slow to Mature – Adult albatrosses don’t even begin reproducing until they are about 10 years old on average. They sometimes join the other birds at the breeding colonies and perform mating displays. However, most of the time they do not find a mate and begin to breed until they are around 10 years old.
• Slow Growth – Unfortunately, because these birds are so slow to mature, and they breed at a very slow rate, their populations do not increase quickly. Because of this, when their populations decline it takes a long time for them to make a comeback. Humans pose threats to these birds in a number of different ways, and the IUCN lists the species as Vulnerable .

Habitat of the Wandering Albatross

These birds spend the vast majority their life flying over, or floating on the surface of, the ocean. They inhabit the open ocean, primarily where the waters are deep, and fish are plentiful. The only time they come to land is for the mating season. During this time, colonies of birds land on plateaus, valleys, and plains.

Distribution of the Wandering Albatross

There are several different subspecies of Wandering Albatross, all of which live in the open oceans of the Southern Hemisphere. Outside of the breeding season, they roam the open oceans in between Antarctica and the southern coasts of Africa, South America, and Australia. Their primary breeding colonies are on various islands across the Southern Hemisphere, including South Georgia, Macquarie, Amsterdam Island, and more.

Diet of the Wandering Albatross

This seabird unsurprisingly feeds primarily on fish and other aquatic organisms. They eat fish, octopus, squid, shrimp, and krill.

They also scavenge on the remains of carcasses, as well as feeding on the scraps from commercial fishing operations and other predators. Though they can dive if they need to, they catch most of their food at the surface of the water.

Wandering Albatross and Human Interaction

Unfortunately, humans are extremely detrimental to these birds. Sailors have killed birds, both at sea and in nesting colonies, for decades. In fact, humans are the only known predator of adult albatrosses.

Nowadays it is illegal to harm these birds, though killing does still occur. Sadly, they frequently, and accidentally, become trapped in fishing nets or on fishing lines. Humans have also introduced many different feral animals to their breeding islands, and these animals eat the eggs and chicks.

Domestication

Humans have not domesticated this species of bird in any way.

Does the Wandering Albatross Make a Good Pet

No, the Wandering Albatross does not make a good pet. Their huge wings carry them across open ocean, which would make them a poor household pet. It most places, it is illegal to harm, harass, capture, or kill these birds.

Wandering Albatross Care

These birds do not often find themselves in zoos. The only time any albatross species lives in a zoo or aquarium is when something has severely injured them in some way.

During those times, zoos attempt to heal and rehabilitate the birds, and release them back into the wild if possible. Albatrosses that live in zoos because they cannot survive in the wild act as ambassadors to the plight of their species.

Behavior of the Wandering Albatross

This species is quite social, even outside of the breeding season. While in the open ocean, small groups of Wandering Albatrosses forage together. These groups frequently converge upon one another when feeding opportunities, like bait balls or fishing vessels, arise.

As the breeding season arrives, huge colonies of birds flock to their breeding grounds together. Birds searching for mates perform elaborate courtship displays, and mated pairs renew their bonds.

Reproduction of the Wandering Albatross

Every 2 years a pair breeds and produces a single egg, usually in December. Both the male and the female help incubate the egg, which hatches after 2.5 months. Once the chick hatches the parents alternate between keeping it warm and fishing for food.

After the chick is a month old, both parents leave it alone to hunt for food. It takes between 9 and 10 months for the chick to learn how to fly and gain independence.

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The Biography of Albatrosses and Their Oceanic Realm

• February 21, 2024 February 20, 2024

With their majestic wingspans and graceful flight, Albatrosses are among the most iconic seabirds inhabiting the world’s oceans. 

Belonging to the family Diomedeidae, these remarkable birds are renowned for their ability to soar vast distances with minimal effort, utilizing dynamic soaring techniques to traverse the expansive ocean expanses where they spend most of their lives. 

Albatrosses are predominantly found in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in the open waters of the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic, and temperate regions. They exhibit a remarkable lifespan, with some species living for decades and even up to 60 years. 

These avian wonders play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, serving as indicators of ocean health and contributing to nutrient cycling through their feeding habits. 

However, albatross populations face numerous threats, including habitat degradation, pollution, and incidental bycatch, making their conservation important.

Physical Characteristics of Albatrosses

Identifying albatrosses can be captivating, as these majestic seabirds possess distinctive physical characteristics that set them apart from other avian species. 

Here are eight key points to consider when identifying albatrosses:

Large Size and Wingspan

Albatrosses are notably large birds, with wingspans that can exceed 11 feet (3.4 meters) in some species, making them one of the biggest flying birds on Earth. 

This impressive wingspan allows them to soar effortlessly over vast oceanic expanses for extended periods.

Long, Narrow Wings

Albatrosses have long, narrow wings perfectly adapted for gliding and dynamic soaring. These wings are significantly longer in proportion to their bodies compared to other seabirds, giving them a distinctive silhouette in flight.

White Plumage

Most albatross species have predominantly white plumage, contrasting sharply with the dark ocean waters below. 

Some species may have varying degrees of black or gray markings on their wings or backs, but the overall impression is luminous whiteness.

Yellow Bill and Tubular Nostrils

One of the most noticeable features of albatrosses is their large, hooked bills, which are usually yellow. 

Additionally, they have tubular nostrils located on either side of the bill, which are thought to aid in excreting excess salt ingested from seawater.

Webbed Feet

Albatrosses have webbed feet, adapted for swimming and aid in takeoff from the water’s surface. These feet are relatively small in proportion to their body size and are primarily used for steering while swimming.

Distinctive Flight Patterns

In flight, albatrosses exhibit a characteristic gliding motion, rarely flapping their wings except during takeoff and landing. They often soar low over the waves, effortlessly riding air currents with minimal effort.

Long, Streamlined Bodies

Albatrosses have sleek, streamlined bodies that minimize air resistance during flight. Their bodies are built for efficiency in the air, allowing them to cover vast distances with minimal energy expenditure.

Graceful Movements on Land

Despite their large size, albatrosses are surprisingly graceful on land, moving with a distinctive waddling gait. On solid ground, they may tuck their long wings close to their bodies, giving them a more compact appearance.

Identifying albatrosses involves observing a combination of physical characteristics, including their large size, yellow bill, webbed feet, distinctive flight patterns, streamlined bodies, and graceful movements both in the air and on land. 

These unique features make albatrosses unmistakable and fascinating subjects for birdwatchers and naturalists alike.

Taxonomy of Albatrosses

Here is a table that will showcase all the taxonomical details of Albatrosses:

The albatross family comprises several species with unique characteristics and distribution across the world’s oceans. Here’s a brief overview of the species mentioned:

Short-tailed Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus)

Recognizable by its large size, white body, and pale yellow bill, the short-tailed albatross is one of the rarest and most endangered species. It inhabits the North Pacific Ocean and breeds on Torishima and the Senkaku Islands.

Black-footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes)

Named for its dark feet, this species has a black back and wings with a white face and underparts. It nests primarily in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and the Japanese archipelago.

Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis)

The Laysan albatross is a familiar sight in the North Pacific with a striking appearance characterized by a white body, black wings, and a yellow-orange bill. It breeds primarily on islands such as Laysan and Midway Atoll.

Snowy Albatross (Diomedea exulans)

Also known as the wandering albatross, the snowy albatross is the largest of all albatross species. It has a white body with black wingtips and a pink bill with a distinctive hook. It ranges widely across the Southern Ocean.

Light-mantled Albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata)

This species is named for the pale gray mantle on its upperparts. It has a white head, neck, underparts, black flight feathers, and a dark bill. It breeds on islands such as South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris)

Recognizable by the dark eyebrow stripe above its eye, the black-browed albatross has a white body with dark upper wings and a yellow bill. It nests on islands in the Southern Ocean, including the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.

Salvin’s Albatross (Thalassarche salvini)

Named after the English ornithologist Osbert Salvin, this species has a dark mantle and upper wings, a white face, throat, underparts, and a yellow-orange bill. It breeds on islands such as the Antipodes Islands and the Bounty Islands.

Chatham Albatross (Thalassarche eremita)

Endemic to the Chatham Islands of New Zealand, this species has a dark mantle and upper wings, a white face, throat, and underparts, and a yellow bill with a dark tip.

White-capped Albatross (Thalassarche steadi)

With a white cap on its head and a dark mantle, this species has a white face, throat, underparts, and a yellow-orange bill. It breeds on islands such as Campbell Island and the Auckland Islands.

Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche chlororhynchos)

Found primarily in the South Atlantic Ocean, this species has a yellow bill with a black tip, a white face, throat, underparts, and dark upperparts. It breeds on islands such as Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha.

These albatross species play a unique role in marine ecosystems and face conservation challenges, including habitat loss, fisheries bycatch, and marine pollution. 

Conservation efforts are crucial to ensuring the survival of these magnificent birds for generations to come.

Common Food of Albatrosses

Albatrosses are primarily carnivorous seabirds with diverse diets that vary depending on their species and foraging habits. Familiar food sources for albatrosses include:

• Fish: Albatrosses feed on various fish species, including lanternfish, squid, and small pelagic fish like anchovies and sardines.
• Crustaceans: Some albatross species supplement their diet with crustaceans such as krill, shrimp, and crab larvae.
• Cephalopods: Squid and octopus are significant components of the albatross diet, providing valuable protein and nutrients.
• Offal and carrion: Albatrosses are opportunistic feeders and may scavenge offal from fishing vessels or carrion floating on the ocean surface.
• Flying fish: These agile birds are known to catch flying fish in mid-air as they leap from the water to escape predators.

Albatrosses are adept at foraging over vast oceanic expanses, using their keen eyesight and sense of smell to locate food sources efficiently.

Hunting Habit of Albatrosses

Albatrosses are highly skilled hunters, relying on their keen senses and efficient flight capabilities to locate and capture prey in the vast expanse of the open ocean. 

With their exceptional eyesight, these birds can scan the water surface from great heights, spotting potential prey such as fish, squid, and crustaceans. 

Once a target is identified, albatrosses use their impressive aerial agility to dive down and snatch prey from the water’s surface, often employing dramatic swoops and maneuvers to catch their elusive quarry.

Utilizing a combination of gliding and dynamic soaring techniques, albatrosses can cover large distances with minimal energy expenditure, allowing them to search for food over expansive oceanic regions for extended periods. 

Their hunting behavior is opportunistic, taking advantage of both natural prey concentrations and the presence of fishing vessels to scavenge for offal and discarded fish. 

Albatrosses Life History

With their majestic wingspans and graceful flight, Albatrosses are iconic seabirds known for their remarkable life history and importance in marine ecosystems. 

These fascinating birds exhibit a range of behaviors and adaptations that enable them to thrive in the harsh conditions of the open ocean. 

From their foraging habits to nesting behaviors, albatrosses possess a unique life history that reflects their specialized role in the marine environment.

Albatrosses are primarily carnivorous, feeding on diverse prey, including fish, squid, crustaceans, and occasionally carrion. They use their keen eyesight to spot prey from the air and employ aerial agility to capture it from the water’s surface.

Albatrosses are pelagic birds, spending the majority of their lives at sea and only returning to land to breed and rear their young. 

They inhabit many oceanic habitats, from the Southern Ocean around Antarctica to the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans.

Albatross species have specific ranges dictated by their breeding and foraging behaviors. Range maps illustrate the distribution of various species across oceans and continents, highlighting key breeding colonies and foraging grounds.

Albatrosses typically nest in large colonies on remote islands, often on cliffs or rocky outcrops, to avoid terrestrial predators. They construct simple nests of vegetation or soil where they lay a single egg.

Breeding behavior in albatrosses involves elaborate courtship displays, with pairs forming long-term bonds. Incubation and chick-rearing duties are shared between parents, with chicks fledging after several months.

Albatross populations are susceptible to various diseases, including avian pox and aspergillosis. These diseases can have significant impacts on individual birds and breeding colonies.

Treatment of albatross diseases often involves veterinary care provided by conservation organizations and research institutions. 

Interventions may include medication administration, wound treatment, and rehabilitation efforts for affected individuals.

Conservation

Albatrosses face numerous conservation challenges, including habitat loss, fisheries bycatch, pollution, and climate change. 

Conservation efforts focus on mitigating these threats through habitat protection, bycatch reduction technologies, and international agreements to safeguard albatross populations and their marine habitats.

The life history of albatrosses encompasses a range of fascinating behaviors and adaptations that highlight their importance as apex predators of the open ocean. 

Understanding and conserving these magnificent birds is essential for maintaining the health and integrity of marine ecosystems worldwide.

5 Fun Facts About Albatrosses

Albatrosses, with their impressive wingspans and remarkable abilities, are among the most fascinating seabirds in the world. Here are five fun facts about these magnificent birds:

• Dynamic Soaring Masters: Albatrosses are adept at dynamic soaring, a flying technique using wind gradients to gain energy and travel vast distances with minimal effort. They can cover thousands of miles without flapping their wings.
• Longest Wingspan in Birds: The wandering albatross holds the longest wingspan of any living bird, reaching up to 11 feet (3.4 meters). This remarkable wingspan allows them to glide effortlessly over the open ocean for extended periods.
• Monogamous Pairs: Albatrosses are known for their long-term monogamous relationships. Mated pairs often perform elaborate courtship rituals, including synchronized dances and bill-clacking displays, to reinforce their bonds.
• Incredible Lifespan: Some albatross species, such as the Laysan albatross, have astonishingly long lifespans, with individuals known to live for over 60 years. This longevity is crucial for successful breeding and maintaining populations over time.
• Marine Conservation Indicators: Albatross populations are essential indicators of marine ecosystem health. Their presence and breeding success reflect the abundance of prey species and the overall condition of oceanic habitats, making them invaluable for conservation efforts.

Wrapping Up

Albatrosses stand as magnificent ambassadors of the open seas, captivating us with their soaring flights, intricate courtship rituals, and vital role in marine ecosystems. 

As apex predators of the ocean, they command our admiration and concern. 

Yet, their future hangs precariously in the balance, threatened by habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change. We must rally together to protect these majestic birds and their oceanic habitats. 

By implementing effective conservation measures, supporting research initiatives, and raising awareness about the plight of albatrosses, we can ensure that these remarkable seabirds continue to grace our skies and inspire generations to come.

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• Bird Breeds
• Wandering Albatross

The Majestic Wandering Albatross: A Graceful Giant of the Skies

The enigmatic wanderer, a life at sea, conservation challenges, recommendation, in conclusion.

The Wandering Albatross is a magnificent seabird that roams the vast open oceans of the Southern Hemisphere. Known for its impressive wingspan and graceful flight, this iconic bird has captured the imagination of sailors, scientists, and nature enthusiasts alike. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of the Wandering Albatross, exploring its characteristics, behavior, and conservation status.

The Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans) is the largest member of the albatross family, with an average wingspan ranging from 8 to 11 feet. This incredible wingspan allows the bird to glide effortlessly for long periods, covering vast distances while expending minimal energy. The Wandering Albatross is renowned for its exceptional flying abilities, often flying hundreds of kilometers a day in search of food.

Unlike most birds, the Wandering Albatross spends the majority of its life at sea, rarely venturing near land except during the breeding season. These seabirds are highly adapted to life on the open ocean, with their long, narrow wings ideal for soaring and their streamlined bodies designed for efficient flight. The albatrosses are also equipped with a keen sense of smell, which helps them detect food sources, such as fish, squid, and crustaceans, from great distances.

The Wandering Albatross is known for its complex courtship rituals and lifelong monogamous partnerships. These birds typically reach sexual maturity between the ages of 8 and 12, and once they find a mate, they will remain together for life. During the breeding season, the pairs reunite at their nesting sites, which are often located on remote islands in the Southern Ocean. The females lay a single egg, and both parents take turns incubating it for approximately two months.

While the Wandering Albatross is an awe-inspiring creature, it faces numerous conservation challenges. One of the most significant threats to their population is bycatch in commercial fishing operations. These birds are attracted to the bait used by longline fisheries, often resulting in entanglement and drowning. Additionally, pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change are all contributing factors that impact the albatross's survival in the wild.

To protect the Wandering Albatross and ensure its long-term survival, various conservation initiatives have been implemented. International agreements have been established to reduce bycatch, promote sustainable fishing practices, and create protected areas to safeguard their breeding grounds. Additionally, raising awareness about the importance of these majestic birds and their vital role in marine ecosystems is crucial in garnering support for their conservation.

If you are passionate about birds and wildlife, consider visiting our website, which offers comprehensive information on various pet birds, their care, and conservation efforts. While the Wandering Albatross is not a suitable pet, learning about the diverse avian species can foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world and inspire individuals to contribute to conservation efforts in their own unique ways.

The Wandering Albatross is a true marvel of nature, representing the epitome of grace and endurance in the avian world. With its majestic appearance and remarkable flying abilities, this seabird continues to captivate and inspire people around the globe. By understanding the challenges it faces and taking action to protect its habitat, we can ensure that future generations will also have the privilege of witnessing the awe-inspiring flight of the Wandering Albatross.

Julieth Bill

Hi, I'm Julieth Bill. Before I was a writer for the NBCpet.com blog I was known for inventive and unusual treatments of dogs, cats, bird, fish, snakes, horses, rabbit, reptiles, and guinea pigs. Julieth worked for major zoos around the world. He Also Receives Pets a Scholarship.

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Wandering Albatross

Table of Contents

Scientific Classification

Table of content.

Physical Description

Size : They measure at around 3 ft 6 in to 4 ft 5 in (1.07-1.35 m).

Weight : Adult wandering albatrosses typically weigh between 13 and 28 lbs (5.9-12.7 kg).

Color : The plumage for juveniles is chocolate brown which becomes whiter with age. The wings in adults are white with black around the tips while the female’s wings have more black on them. The bill and feet are pink.

Sexual Dimorphism : Males are a little bit larger than females.

Wingspan : They have the largest wingspan among birds , measuring at around 8 ft 3 in to 11 ft 6 in (2.51-3.5 m).

The two recognized subspecies of the wandering albatross are D. e. exulans (nominate subspecies) and the D. e. gibsoni (also known as Gibson’s albatross).

Distribution

The breeding range for the wandering albatross includes South Georgia Island, Crozet Islands, Prince Edward Islands, Kerguelen Islands, and Macquarie Islands. It also feeds around the Kaikoura Peninsula on New Zealand’s South Island east coast.

They inhabit subantarctic islands with tussock grass, sedges, shrubs, mosses and peat soils. They nest on ridges, plateaus, valleys, and plains.

Wandering Albatross Pictures

Wandering Albatross Images

• These birds spend most of their lives in the air, traveling long distances.
• They live in small groups during their forages in the sea.
• They become rather social during the breeding season.
• They are territorial towards members of the same sex during the breeding season and defend their nesting area with vocalizations.

Wandering albatrosses eat fish, squids, and crustaceans.

Mating & Reproduction

These birds mate for life and mate every other year. Males reach the breeding grounds before females and locate the same nesting sites they had used the previous season, although they may also choose to build new ones. Females arrive after males. The breeding season usually occurs between December and March. The female lays one egg per breeding season which is then incubated for 74-85 days. Both parents take part in incubation.

The hatchling stays in its parents’ care for up to 9 months of age, after which they achieve independence. They reach sexual maturity by the time they are 9 years old.

Wandering Albatross Chick

Wandering Albatross Size

Wandering albatrosses can live for up to 50 years.

Sounds & Communication

These birds communicate by croaking, bill-clapping, bill-touching, trumpeting, and pointing towards the sky with their bills.

Adaptations

• The large wings of the wandering albatross help them fly for vast distances over several hours without flapping. For every meter of drop in altitude, they can travel 22 meters in distance.
• The salt gland at the nasal passage helps them desalinate their bodies of the excess salt they come in contact with because of their oceanic lifestyle.
• They can dive up to a meter into the ocean to catch their prey. They, however, prefer to catch the fish from the surface of the ocean.

The Wandering Albatross

Wandering Albatross Flying

Adult wandering albatrosses have no predators. Eggs, hatchlings, and juveniles, on the other hand, are preyed upon by sheathbills and skuas. In addition to these two, several introduced animals like goats, pigs, rats, mice, and cats also eat the chicks and eggs.

IUCN Conservation Status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the wandering albatross under their ‘Vulnerable’ category.

Interesting Facts

• The wandering albatross is the biggest bird in its genera and one the largest in the world.
• One individual lived to be 60 years old in New Zealand. She was named ‘Grandma.’
• Another banded individual was recorded to have traveled 3,730 miles in just 12 days.

Wandering Albatross Wingspan

Wandering Albatross Bird

• http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/wildlife/wandering-albatross.php https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do/wildlife/wandering-albatross https://beautyofbirds.com/wandering-albatrosses/ http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Diomedea_exulans/#ff4ee5a1ac2a7a07a049350b7c9b6fbc https://www.britannica.com/animal/albatross#ref243427 http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22698305/0

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Animal encyclopedia

Exploring the magnificent wandering albatross.

September 4, 2023

John Brooks

September 4, 2023 / Reading time: 6 minutes

Sophie Hodgson

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Table of Contents

The Wandering Albatross is a truly remarkable bird that captivates the imagination of wildlife enthusiasts and researchers alike. With its impressive wingspan and majestic flight, this magnificent creature has a unique story to tell. In this article, we will delve into the world of the Wandering Albatross, exploring its characteristics, habitat, life cycle, diet, threats, conservation efforts, and even its role in culture and literature.

Understanding the Wandering Albatross

The Wandering Albatross, a majestic seabird, is a fascinating creature that captures the imagination with its impressive size and unique characteristics . Let’s delve deeper into the defining features and habitat of this remarkable bird.

Defining Characteristics of the Wandering Albatross

With a wingspan of up to 11 feet, the Wandering Albatross boasts the largest wingspan of any bird in the world. This remarkable wingspan allows it to glide effortlessly over the vast open oceans it calls home. As it soars through the air, its wingspan creates a mesmerizing spectacle, showcasing the bird’s incredible adaptability to its environment.

The Wandering Albatross is easily recognizable by its distinctive white feathers , sleek body, and long, slender wings . These defining features not only contribute to its graceful appearance but also serve a purpose in its survival. The white feathers help camouflage the bird against the bright sunlight reflecting off the ocean’s surface, while the sleek body and long wings enable it to navigate the winds with precision.

The Albatross’s Unique Habitat

These graceful birds are found primarily in the southern oceans, particularly around the Antarctic region. The vast expanse of the Southern Ocean provides an ideal environment for the Wandering Albatross to thrive. With its ability to cover immense distances, the bird utilizes the strong winds to its advantage, effortlessly gliding across the ocean in search of food and suitable breeding grounds.

During their long journeys, Wandering Albatrosses traverse various oceanic regions, from the sub-Antarctic to as far as the coast of South America. Their nomadic lifestyle allows them to explore different ecosystems , adapting to the ever-changing conditions of the open ocean.

When on land, the Wandering Albatross prefers remote and isolated islands for nesting. These islands provide the perfect breeding environment, away from human disturbance and terrestrial predators. Here, amidst the rugged cliffs and pristine beaches, the albatrosses establish their colonies, creating a spectacle of life in the midst of the vast ocean.

These incredible birds are known to return to the same nesting sites year after year, demonstrating their strong site fidelity . The remote islands become their sanctuary, where they engage in courtship rituals, build nests, and raise their young. It is a testament to their resilience and adaptability that they have managed to maintain these nesting sites for generations, despite the challenges they face in the ever-changing world.

As we continue to explore and understand the Wandering Albatross, we uncover more about its remarkable adaptations, behaviors, and interactions with its environment. The more we learn, the more we appreciate the intricate web of life that exists in the vast oceans, where these magnificent birds reign supreme.

The Life Cycle of the Wandering Albatross

Breeding and nesting patterns.

The breeding season for the Wandering Albatross begins in the austral summer months, with courtship rituals that involve intricate displays of dance and vocalizations . These courtship displays are not only a way for the albatrosses to attract a mate but also a means of establishing dominance within their colony. The males showcase their impressive wingspan and perform elaborate dances, while the females respond with their own graceful movements.

Once a pair bonds, they establish a nest on the chosen island and begin the process of reproduction. The nests are carefully constructed using a combination of soil, grass, and other materials found on the island. The albatrosses take great care in selecting the perfect location for their nest, ensuring it is protected from the harsh elements and predators.

The female typically lays a single egg, which both parents take turns incubating. Incubation lasts for approximately 60 days, during which the parents rotate shifts to keep the egg warm and protected. This shared responsibility is a testament to the strong bonds formed between Wandering Albatross pairs. The parents take turns leaving the nest to search for food, returning to regurgitate the nutrient-rich meal for their growing chick.

During the incubation period, the albatrosses face numerous challenges. They must withstand strong winds, freezing temperatures, and potential threats from predators . Despite these difficulties, the dedicated parents remain vigilant, ensuring the survival of their offspring.

Growth and Development Stages

After hatching, the chicks are cared for and fed by both parents. The parents regurgitate a nutrient-rich oil that provides essential nourishment for the growing chick. This feeding process continues for several months until the chick becomes independent enough to forage on its own. The oil not only provides the necessary nutrients but also helps to strengthen the chick’s immune system, protecting it from potential diseases.

As the chick grows, it undergoes various developmental stages. Its downy feathers gradually give way to juvenile plumage, which is darker in coloration. The chick’s beak also undergoes changes, becoming stronger and more adapted to catching prey. During this time, the parents continue to provide guidance and protection, teaching the chick essential survival skills.

It takes years for a Wandering Albatross chick to reach maturity. During this time, they undergo a remarkable transformation, gradually developing their characteristic white plumage and mastering their flight skills. The albatrosses spend a significant portion of their juvenile years at sea, honing their flying abilities and exploring vast oceanic territories. It is during this period that they face various challenges, including encounters with other seabirds and potential threats from human activities.

It is this lengthy growth period that contributes to the vulnerability of this species and its slow population recovery. The Wandering Albatross faces numerous threats, including habitat loss, climate change, and accidental capture in fishing gear. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure the survival of these magnificent birds and their unique life cycle.

The Wandering Albatross’s Diet and Hunting Techniques

Preferred prey and hunting grounds.

The Wandering Albatross is primarily a scavenger, feeding on a variety of marine organisms, including squid, fish, and crustaceans. They use their keen eyesight to spot potential prey items floating on the ocean surface, and once sighted, they plunge-dived from great heights to capture their meal. Additionally, these birds are known to scavenge carrion and exploit fishing vessels for an easy meal.

Adaptations for Hunting in the Open Ocean

Surviving in the harsh oceanic environment requires specialized adaptations, and the Wandering Albatross is well-equipped for the task. Its long wings enable it to glide effortlessly for long periods, conserving energy during hours of flight. The bird’s keen sense of smell allows it to locate food sources, even from great distances. These adaptations make the Wandering Albatross a formidable hunter and a vital component of the oceanic ecosystem.

Threats and Conservation Efforts

Human impact on the wandering albatross.

Despite their grace and beauty, Wandering Albatrosses face numerous threats that have contributed to their decline. One of the main challenges is the destructive impact of longline fishing operations, where the birds mistakenly become hooked or tangled in the fishing gear. Additionally, pollution, habitat degradation, and climate change further jeopardize the survival of these birds.

Current Conservation Strategies and Their Effectiveness

To safeguard the future of the Wandering Albatross, concerted conservation efforts are underway. Several measures have been implemented, including the establishment of protected areas and marine reserves, the development of guidelines for responsible fishing practices, and public awareness campaigns to promote the importance of nurturing this iconic species. While progress has been made, continued efforts are required to ensure the recovery and long-term survival of the Wandering Albatross.

The Role of the Wandering Albatross in Culture and Literature

Symbolism and significance in various cultures.

Throughout history, the Wandering Albatross has held deep cultural significance in many communities. In some cultures, these birds are considered symbols of loyalty, freedom, and endurance. They are often associated with seafaring traditions and are believed to bring good fortune to sailors.

The Albatross in Classic and Contemporary Literature

The haunting imagery of the Wandering Albatross has inspired numerous works of literature. Perhaps the most famous reference is found in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” where an albatross is depicted as a harbinger of both good and ill fortune. Furthermore, many modern authors have woven the essence of the Wandering Albatross into their stories, capturing its mystique and its role as a symbol of the natural world.

In conclusion, the Wandering Albatross is a remarkable bird with a captivating presence. From its unique characteristics to its adaptations for survival in the open ocean , this magnificent creature enthralls all who encounter it. However, its existence is threatened by human activities and environmental changes. Through ongoing conservation efforts and a deeper appreciation of its cultural significance, we can work towards ensuring a future where the Wandering Albatross continues to grace the skies above the vast southern oceans.

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Fact Animal

Facts About Animals

Wandering Albatross Facts

Wandering albatross profile.

In 1961, Dion and the Del Satins had a song from the perspective of an albatross. It wasn’t accurate on many counts, but it did get one thing right: they get around.

The Diomedea exulans, more commonly known as the wandering albatross is perhaps the most accomplished wanderer of any animal, with routine voyages of hundreds of kilometres per day on record-breaking wings.

They are a large seabird with a circumpolar range in the Southern Ocean, and sometimes known as snowy albatross, white-winged albatross or goonie.

Wandering Albatross Facts Overview

The wandering albatross breeds on islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, such as South Georgia Island, Crozet Islands, Prince Edward Island and others.

They spend most of their life in flight , and land only to breed and feed.

These are phenomenal birds, capable of surviving some of the harshest weather conditions even at the most vulnerable stages of their development.

They are slow to reproduce, spending extra time to develop into one of the biggest and most specialised animals in the air.

Sadly, this is what makes them vulnerable to population declines, and longline fishing vessels are responsible for many adult deaths.

Interesting Wandering Albatross Facts

1. they can travel 120k km (75k) miles in a year.

The Wandering albatross might be the most wide-ranging of all foraging sea birds, and maybe of all animals. They’ve been tracked over 15,000 km in a single foraging trip, capable of speeds of up to 80 kmph and distances of over 900 km per day. 1

2. They’re monogamous (mostly)

This goes against the entire theme of the Del Satins song and is probably why it’s no longer used as a learning aid in the zoological curriculum.

Contrary to the promiscuous subject of the ‘60s hit, the Wandering Albatrosses mate for life and are (on average) monogamous.

When breeding, they take on incubation shifts, and it’s during these periods when the wanderer goes out on their epic voyages to return with food for their family.

Still, there’s an element of personal preference when it comes to breeding.

Most females will take a year or two off after the long and arduous task of reproduction. During this time the parents will go their separate ways, only to reunite when the time is right.

In these periods, some females will take on a temporary mate, so they can squeeze out one more chick before reuniting with their permanent nesting partner. 2

3. Wandering albatross are active in moonlight

When on these journeys, the albatross is almost constantly active. During the day they spend the entire time in the air, and while they don’t cover much distance at night, they were still recorded almost constantly moving – never stopping for more than 1.6h in the dark.

They appear to travel more on moonlit nights than on darker ones.

All of this data comes from satellite trackers attached to some birds, which are always going to skew the results.

Flying birds are optimised for weight, and trackers add to this weight, so there’s necessarily a negative effect on the individual’s fitness when lumbering them with a tracker.

Still, these subjects were able to outlast the trackers’ batteries on many occasions, and it’s safe to assume they’re capable of even more than we can realistically measure!

4. They have the largest wingspan of any bird in the world

One advantage that an albatross has over, say, a pigeon, when it comes to carrying a researcher’s hardware, is that it doesn’t need to flap much.

The albatross is the bird with the longest wingspan of any flying animal – growing up to 3.2 m (10.5 ft), and these wings are meticulously adapted for soaring.

The Guiness Book of Records claims the largest wingspan of any living species of bird was a wandering albatross with a wingspan of 3.63m (11 ft 11) caught in 1965 by scientists on the Antarctic research ship USNS Eltanin in the Tasman Sea.

Research has suggested that these wings function best against slight headwinds, and act like the sails of a boat, allowing the bird to cover more ground by “tacking”, like a sailboat: zig-zagging across the angle of the wind to make forward progress into it. 3

5. Fat chicks

As mentioned, these voyages are usually a result of foraging trips for their chicks.

The environment for a growing albatross is one of the least conducive for life. Freezing winter storms and exposed ledges make for a hilly upbringing for the baby birds.

Fed on a healthy diet of regurgitated squid, these albatross chicks grow to enormous sizes. On nesting sites, it’s not uncommon to find a fluffy baby albatross weighing up to 10kg.

These chicks are heavier than their parents, and they need the extra mass to protect them from the Winter season while they grow into fledglings. They’re also such big birds that they take longer than a season to reach maturity.

It takes around ten months of feeding, back and forth from the ocean every few days, for the parents to grow a healthy adult offspring.

6. Being a parent takes practice

When inexperienced parents were compared with those who’d brought up chicks before, it was found that their chicks are a little slower to fatten up, at least in the first few months.

Parents would feed less regularly, but with much larger amounts, and it seems to take a while to get the routine down.

By the end of the breeding season, these differences disappeared and the parents became fully qualified.

7. 25% of chicks die when they leave the colony

The huge chicks have one of the longest rearing periods of any bird, and this is after an 11-month incubation period! And if they survive all this, they still have a long way to go.

There’s a period of 3 to 7 years during which the young chick will leave the colony alone and spend the entire time at sea.

During the first two months of this learning phase, 25% of chicks die. This is a critical time for the young birds, but if they survive, they’ll return to the colony and find a mate. 4

8. They’re good sniffers

These birds feed primarily on smelly things like squid, and they’ve developed a very keen sense of smell to find them from downwind.

Wandering Albatrosses have one of the largest olfactory bulbs of any bird and they’re honed to fishy aromas.

They combine this sense with strong vision to identify productive areas of the ocean for hunting and foraging. 5

9. They are part of a ‘species complex’

When multiple species are so similar in appearance and other features, it makes their boundaries unclear and this group is known as a species complex.

The wandering albatross was long considered the same species as the Tristan albatross and the Antipodean albatross. Along with the Amsterdam albatross, they form a species complex.

Taxonomy of animals in general is tricky, and some researchers still describe them as the same species.

10. The wandering albatross is vulnerable

The ICUN has classified the wandering albatross as vulnerable, and the last study of their population size in 2007 indicated there were an estimated 25,000 birds.

The biggest threat to their survival is fishing, in particular longline fishing. This is where a long mainline is used with baited hooks, and they are prone to accidental catching of birds, as well as dolphins, sharks, turtles and other sea creatures. Pollution, mainly from plastics and fishing hooks is also a problem for birds such as the wandering albatross.

Convervation efforts are underway to reduce bycatch of albatrosses and some breeding islands are now classified as nature reserves.

Wandering Albatross Fact-File Summary

Scientific classification, fact sources & references.

• Jouventin, P., Weimerskirch, H (1990), “ Satellite tracking of Wandering albatrosses “, Nature.
• GrrlScientist (2022), “ Divorce Is More Common In Albatross Couples With Shy Males, Study Finds “, Forbes.
• Richardson, P. L., Wakefield, E. D., & Phillips, R. A. (2018), “ Flight speed and performance of the wandering albatross with respect to wind “, Movement Ecology.
• Weimerskirch, H., Cherel, Y., Delord, K., Jaeger, A., Patrick, S. C., & Riotte-Lambert, L. (2014), “ Lifetime foraging patterns of the wandering albatross: Life on the move! “, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.
• Nevitt, G. A., Losekoot, M., & Weimerskirch, H. (2008), “ Evidence for olfactory search in wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans “, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The Wandering Albatross

The Wandering Albatross, also known as Diomedea exulans, is a majestic seabird that belongs to the albatross family. This species is renowned for having the largest wingspan of any living bird, reaching an impressive measure of up to 11 feet. With their long, slender wings, they effortlessly glide through the air, utilizing air currents to cover great distances over the southern oceans. These beautiful birds have a white plumage, with black outer wing feathers and a distinctive pinkish bill. They possess a keen sense of smell, allowing them to locate food sources such as fish and squid from great distances. Wandering Albatrosses are known for their lifelong monogamous relationships and elaborate mating rituals, consisting of intricate dances and vocalizations.

Wandering Albatross Matchups

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Wandering albatross : diet, predators, aggression, and defensive behaviors, what do wandering albatrosses eat.

Wandering Albatrosses primarily feed on fish, squid, and crustaceans. They are skilled predators that use their keen eyesight to spot prey from high above the ocean's surface. They are known to travel long distances in search of food, often following fishing vessels to scavenge for leftovers.

Do Wandering Albatrosses have any predators?

Wandering Albatrosses are impressive birds with few natural predators due to their large size and ability to soar long distances. However, their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to predation by invasive species such as rats and feral cats on their breeding islands. In some cases, adult albatrosses may also fall prey to large birds of prey like skuas.

Are Wandering Albatrosses aggressive?

Wandering Albatrosses are not typically aggressive birds. They are known for their peaceful nature and spend a majority of their time flying over the open ocean in search of food. They do, however, display aggression towards intruders near their breeding colonies to protect their mates and nesting sites.

Do Wandering Albatrosses fight?

Wandering Albatrosses are not known to engage in physical fights with each other or other species, as their territorial disputes are usually settled through displays of courtship or aggressive behavior. These displays involve posturing, vocalizations, and bill-snapping rather than actual physical violence.

How do Wandering Albatrosses defend themselves?

Wandering Albatrosses have evolved several strategies to defend themselves against potential threats. One of their main defenses is their ability to fly long distances over the ocean, allowing them to escape from danger quickly. They also rely on their large size and sharp beaks to ward off predators or rivals if necessary.

What is the biggest weakness of Wandering Albatrosses in a fight?

One of the biggest weaknesses of Wandering Albatrosses in a fight is their vulnerability on land. While they are powerful and agile flyers, albatrosses are not well-equipped for ground combat. Their long wings and legs make them less maneuverable on solid ground, leaving them at a disadvantage against smaller, more agile predators that may ambush them near their nesting sites.

Fun Fact : These amazing seabirds have a lifespan of approximately 50 years, with some individuals being recorded to live up to 70 years, making them one of the longest-living birds in the world.

Fun Fact : The Wandering Albatross nests on remote islands, such as the sub-Antarctic islands of South Georgia and the Crozet Islands. They create their nests on rugged terrain, where they lay a single egg and take turns incubating it, with both parents sharing the responsibility equally.

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Albatross (wandering).

The wandering albatross has the largest wingspan of any bird and is perhaps the most magnificent of all twelve species of albatross.

• Flying and Feeding
• The Wandering Albatross and Humans

The albatross is a very long-lived bird but it does not start breeding until it is at least seven years old. The breeding grounds are usually on the top of cliffs where the birds can take off easily in the prevailing winds.

The birds gather in large numbers and the males and females perform elaborate and spectacular courtship displays. The two birds of a pair dance awkwardly around each other, bowing and clattering their bills, with the wings outstretched. At the end of the performance they point their bills to the sky and scream loudly.

At the beginning of the breeding season, which lasts from November until July, several males may be seen dancing around one female. Once a bird has found a suitable mate, which may take a few years, they remain together until one of them dies.

A large, untidy nest is built by both birds, using soil and vegetation to make a cup-shaped mound about 1 metre across and 30cm high. A single egg is laid, white with red spots, and the parents share the incubation, the male doing most of the sitting. The pair usually change over every two to three weeks and lose quite a lot of body weight during each shift. The chick hatches after about 78 days, which includes three days for the chick to break out of the shell.

The parents brood their chick for a short time and it is fed daily for the first 20 days with regurgitated squid, etc. Then the parents leave their offspring alone while they go out to sea and return every 10 days or so to feed it with huge meals. At this stage, the chick may be vulnerable to predators such as skuas, who will eat both eggs and chicks if left unguarded. The large, fluffy white chick continues to sit in its nest and is fed throughout the whole of the severe southern winter, until the following summer - a period of nearly nine months. As a result, the parents can only breed every other year. Eventually the young albatross launches itself into the wind and glides away over the ocean. It may circle the globe many times before returning to the breeding ground to look for a mate.

Related Resources

Overfishing Factsheet

Birds Gallery

Conservation Education 25 - Oceans Download

Sea Pollution Factsheet

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Albatrosses: Facts about the biggest flying birds

The biggest flying bird in the world can go for years without touching land, has complicated, comical mating dances that take years to learn, and might even help scientists track down illegal fishing vessels.

Albatrosses are big, majestic birds that can be found soaring above most of the world’s oceans.

These frequent fliers are known for spending months in the air without touching down, as well as having some unique mating arrangements. However, thanks to harmful fishing techniques and predation by invasive species, albatrosses around the world are either under threat or endangered.

There are 23 species of albatrosses, though arguably the most famous is the wandering albatross ( Diomedea exulans ), which is the largest flying bird in the world. This bird has a 11-foot (3.4 meter) wingspan, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica — even bigger than the famous California condor — and it uses those massive flappers to travel thousands of miles in a single journey.

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A life in the air

But rather than flapping its wings, wandering albatrosses (and many other large albatrosses) travel such far distances by holding their extended wings in place so that the air rushing around the wings generates lift, similar to an airplane's wings. An airplane forces air over its wings with an engine, whereas albatross take advantage of the extremely windy latitudes in the southern oceans. 

This latitude range is "called the 'roaring 40s' and 'furious 50s' for a reason," said Andrea Angel, the Albatross Task Force manager with Birdlife South Africa, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bird conservation. With near constant wind in their environment, albatrosses are able to "lock their elbow joints and literally just fix their wings [in place] and just glide," Angel said. The birds also use something called "dynamic soaring," which involves changing the angle of their wings relative to the wind, to maximize the lift generated — a similar technique could help unmanned research aircraft stay aloft for months, the Independent reported .

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An albatross can go a year or more without setting foot on land, Angel said, although the birds do touch down in water in order to feed on the squid and fish that make up their diet. In fact, it's the tiny alpine swift, not the albatross, that holds the record for non-stop distance flying, as reported in a 2013 study published in the journal Nature Communications . 

As for sleep, Angel said that it's very likely that albatrosses sleep on the wing. A 2016 study published in Nature Communications described how a distant cousin of the albatross, the frigatebird, has many, seconds-long periods of sleep while flying, suggesting that sleeping in the air is definitely possible for other long-distance traveling seabirds. And, based on microchip-tracked movements of albatrosses, "they can [fly] for hours on end, and so it is theorized that they do sleep on the wing," Angel said. "It's an accepted fact [that] because of their movements, they have to sleep."

All albatrosses are very long-lived. The oldest wild bird in the world is a Laysan albatross ( Phoebastria immutabilis ) named Wisdom, who was tagged in 1956 at the Laysan albatross colony at Midway Atoll in the North Pacific Ocean when she was already a mature adult. That makes her at least 66 years old, but she's likely older, and she's still going strong — as of 2018 she was still raising chicks, NPR reported . According to Breck Tyler, a lecturer at the University of California, Santa Cruz and retired research scientist who studied the Laysan albatross colony on Midway Atoll for decades, there are other Laysan albatrosses just a few years younger than Wisdom, so "she's probably not an outlier."

Related: World's oldest wild breeding bird is expecting her 41st chick

Although they're seabirds, albatrosses are generally poor divers, with few exceptions. The wandering albatross can only dive about 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 1 m) into the ocean, yet based on an analysis of its diet, scientists are pretty sure the wandering albatross eats squid that live deeper in the water, and are too big for an albatross to convincingly take down. It's possible the large bird just waits until a squid swims up to the surface, but a more convincing hypothesis is that the birds are actually eating squid bits that have been vomited up by whales, as described in a 1994 study published in the journal Antarctic Science . 

After a meal of whale upchuck, an albatross might wash that down with some refreshing seawater. All seabirds have a gland above their eyes that functions like a miniature kidney, allowing them to drink salt water and excrete it through the tip of their beak, according to the Travis Audubon Society .

Albatrosses mate for life, but aren't exclusive

Because albatrosses mate for life, picking the right partner is a major decision. All species of albatross have some sort of complicated mating dance. For the Laysan albatross, the dance has 24 separate, complex steps, and it takes years for males to learn them all, Tyler said. And until the young males can master the choreography, they won't find a mate, he said. The females can afford to be picky, so if a male's sequence of honks, whistles, wiggles and neck thrusts doesn't impress her, she'll just move on to the next suitor. 

But once a pair does form, the "divorce rate" of albatrosses is among the lowest in the animal kingdom, and because albatrosses are so long-lived, these pairs can persist for decades. For this reason, it's been posited that albatrosses are the "most romantic" bird. But that human characterization ignores some key facts about albatrosses, Tyler said.

An albatross mating pair only sees each other a few days a year, when they meet at their breeding grounds. After a few days of catching up, the pair takes turns incubating the egg; one stays behind while the other forages for food. After about 90 days, and when the chick is big enough, the mating pair go their separate ways for the rest of the year, according to the Cornell Lab’s All About Birds .

Related: Adorable photos of baby shorebirds

Although they mate for life, albatross pairs aren't exclusive. Casual sex between non-paired birds, and even forced copulation, is not uncommon, the New York Times reported in 2010 . A 2006 study published in the journal IBIS found that out of 75 wandering albatross couples, about eight had chicks that weren't fathered by their mother's primary mate.

And in many albatross species, female-female pairs are quite common (so far, male-male pairs haven't been reported), as Live Science has previously reported . Those females rely on "cheating" paired males or unpaired males to fertilize their eggs, and then the two females raise a clutch of two eggs together, without a male's involvement, the Times reported. Laysan albatross males and females look virtually identical, so unless you were specifically looking for evidence of same-sex pairs, you'd likely miss them, the Times said — and it's likely that many other species of birds, especially if there aren't enough males to go around, form similar pair bonds, Tyler said.

Threats to albatrosses

All but one species of albatross are either threatened, endangered or likely to become so, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature . The biggest threats are invasive species at the birds' nesting grounds, and fishing vessels, which unintentionally snare birds when they're pursuing tuna and other commercial fish, Angel said.

Many of the world's albatrosses nest on islands that were once used as whaling vessel stopovers, Angel explained. With the human ships came cats and rats and mice. Gough Island in the South Atlantic, for example, is one of the most important seabird colonies, home to 24 different species of birds and multiple types of albatross. But the colony is gruesomely preyed upon by invasive mice that have evolved to be a much larger than normal size without the presence of predators, Hakai magazine reported . 

Perhaps because they have no other predators that would attack them this way, Albatross have not evolved a way to defend themselves against a mouse attack, and so some of the adults sit motionless, letting "the mice nibble on their flesh while they steadfastly incubate their egg." On a number of important bird islands, conservationists are launching aggressive mouse-eradication programs to attempt to save the remaining birds, National Geographic reported .

Related: In photos: Mice brutally attack and devour albatross on Gough Island

At sea, albatrosses face a different threat: fishing vessels. Albatrosses are pretty good at detecting fishing vessels — so good that researchers think the birds, outfitted with tiny radar detectors, could be used to find boats operating illegally, The New York Times reported. 

Large fishing vessels have onboard processing facilities where fish heads and tails and guts are removed and dumped back into the sea, which attracts all sorts of seabirds. "It is a seabird spectacle," Angel said. But as the trawler is dumping fish guts, it's simultaneously dropping the giant fishing net back into the ocean for the next catch. Seabirds, including albatrosses, get entangled in the net cables and dragged under water, then drown. And longline fishing boats, in which a 30-mile-long (48 kilometer) floating fishing line is set with hundreds of baited hooks, also attract seabirds which see the enticing meal from the surface, but get caught on the hooks and drown. 

BirdLife South Africa has reduced albatross deaths in the local trawl fishery by 99% by simply encouraging boats to use bird-scaring streamers and shifting the time that the boats dump out the fish waste to after the net is set. But worldwide there's still much more work to be done when it comes to encouraging commercial fishers to practice more seabird-friendly fishing techniques.

Additional resources:

• Learn more about the relationship between birds and humans on Midway Atoll with this feature from American Bird Conservancy
• Watch a Laysan albatross perform its complicated (and comical) mating dance .
• View not-quite-live-cam shots of albatrosses on Bird Island near the Antarctic Circle on BirdLife International’s Facebook page .

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Rachel is a writer and editor based in Washington, D.C., who covers a range of topics for Live Science, from animals and global warming to technology and human behavior. Rachel also contributes to National Geographic News, Smithsonian Magazine and Scientific American, and she is currently a senior editor at Next City, a national urban affairs magazine. She has an English degree with a journalism concentration from Adelphi University in New York.

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Albatrosses

An albatross aloft can be a spectacular sight. These feathered giants have the longest wingspan of any bird—up to 11 feet! The wandering albatross is the biggest of some two dozen different species. Albatrosses use their formidable wingspans to ride the ocean winds and sometimes to glide for hours without rest or even a flap of their wings. They also float on the sea's surface, though the position makes them vulnerable to aquatic predators. Albatrosses drink salt water, as do some other sea birds.

These long-lived birds have reached a documented 50 years of age. They are rarely seen on land and gather only to breed, at which time they form large colonies on remote islands. Mating pairs produce a single egg and take turns caring for it. Young albatrosses may fly within three to ten months, depending on the species, but then leave the land behind for some five to ten years until they themselves reach sexual maturity. Some species appear to mate for life.

Albatrosses feed primarily on squid or schooling fish, but are familiar to mariners because they sometimes follow ships in hopes of dining on handouts or garbage. Albatrosses have a special place in maritime lore and superstition, most memorably evoked in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner .

Relationship with Humans

Some albatross species were heavily hunted for feathers that were used as down and in the manufacture of women's hats. The Laysan albatross was important to the indigenous hunters of the northern seas. Excavations of Aleut and Eskimo settlements reveal many albatross bones and suggest that the birds were an important part of human diet in the region.

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Moscow Metro – An Unusual Art Gallery

I was lucky with the Metro tour Tuesday afternoon – there were only four of us there – John from Columbia, Lynne and Winston from New York, and myself.  Elena, the guide was quite happy to have just a few of us.  With a holiday Wednesday, many people had a short work day today, and it is easy to lose someone in the busy subway system in rush hour. Elena was a great guide too, with good training and a LOT of enthusiasm for her native city.

The planners also wanted to have their subway system be something that Moscovites could be proud of, instead of feeling like voles burrowing around underground.  Marble, glass, bronze, porcelain and good lighting were used to this end.

From here, down we went.  We learned that some of the later lines were placed very deep underground during the Cold War, so that they could serve as shelters from nuclear attack.  The longest escalator of all is on the 3rd (purple) line, and is the equivalent of 24 stories.  It takes 4 minutes to descend.

It is very unlucky to touch the rooster, however.

National pride and homage to Communism was very important to Stalin as he built the metro stations.  At Kurskaya Station, the vestibule where you first enter the metro is designed like a cathedral……. just look at the splendour and scale!

-propaganda at its finest and most subtle.  Who could fail to be proud as they walked through this temple on the way to work?

and out in the open air and just across the street from my hotel.  All for 10 cents.

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3 responses to moscow metro – an unusual art gallery.

Fascinating post. I knew the Moscow Subway was opulent but this is something else! 😀

WOW! What a great tour guide you are turning into. Love the trip through the subway. What an amazing place. Where are we going next? Thanks for taking us along. Karen J in SW Ontario

WOW what a tour. Never thought of a tour of the subway. . . I love that you love history. truly fascinating.

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