Diomedea exulans
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.
Length
107cm to 135cm
Wingspan
251cm to 351cm
Weight
6.1kg to 11.9kg
Largest wingspan of any living bird
Record: Up to 3.65 m (12 ft) wingspan
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Sea level to 5 meters above sea surface
Subantarctic, Antarctic
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:
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