Wandering Albatross Bird Facts (Diomedea exulans)

Visual Identification

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.

Size

Length

107cm to 135cm

Wingspan

251cm to 351cm

Weight

6.1kg to 11.9kg

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

White Black

Secondary Colour

Grey

Beak Colour

Pink Yellow

Leg Colour

Pink

Primary Colour (Female)

White Black Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

Grey

Beak Colour (Female)

Pink Yellow

Leg Colour (Female)

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Wandering Albatross is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Wandering Albatross is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Wandering Albatross is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Wandering Albatross can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Wandering Albatross is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Wandering Albatross is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Wandering Albatross is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Wandering Albatross is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Wandering Albatross is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Wandering Albatross is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Wandering Albatross is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Wandering Albatross is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 5 meters above sea surface

Climate zones

Subantarctic, Antarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Wandering Albatross. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Breeding

Non-breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Australia French Southern Territories South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Argentina Bouvet Island Brazil Chile Falkland Islands Heard Island and McDonald Islands Madagascar Mozambique Namibia New Zealand Norfolk Island Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha South Africa Tonga Uruguay

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Angola Fiji French Polynesia Italy Japan Mauritius Panama Portugal Réunion United States of America

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 95

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Wandering Albatross displays exceptional agility in flight, mastering dynamic soaring to glide for hours without flapping its wings. Its ability to navigate vast oceanic distances with minimal energy expenditure demonstrates remarkable aerial prowess.

Strength 80

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

With the largest wingspan of any living bird and a robust body capable of long-distance flights, the Wandering Albatross possesses considerable strength. Its ability to dive up to 1 metre below the surface for prey also indicates significant muscular power.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Highly adaptable to life in the harsh Southern Ocean, these birds can desalinate seawater through special nasal passages and survive in a wide range of climatic conditions. Their ability to forage over vast distances and exploit various food sources further demonstrates their adaptability.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Wandering Albatrosses are not particularly aggressive birds. They form long-term pair bonds and engage in elaborate courtship displays rather than aggressive behaviours. However, they may display some aggression in defending nesting sites or competing for food.

Endurance 100

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Wandering Albatross exhibits extraordinary endurance, capable of flying up to 950 km (590 miles) in a single day and circumnavigating the Southern Ocean. Their ability to stay aloft for extended periods, coupled with a lifespan of over 50 years in the wild, showcases remarkable stamina and longevity.

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.

Vocalisation

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 and Status

Global Conservation Status

Vulnerable ^[1]

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 Data

Global Population Estimate

20,100 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

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

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Snowy Albatross, White-winged Albatross

Family:

Diomedeidae

Average Lifespan

40 years

Max Lifespan

50 years ^[4]

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.

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.

References

1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Diomedea exulans. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22698305A132640680.
View source
3
report, 2006: Poncet et al.
4
journalArticle, 2008: Buttemer et al., Fowl play and the price of petrel: long-living Procellariiformes have peroxidation-resistant membrane composition compared with short-living Galliformes, Biol Lett, 4:351-354
View source