The wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) is a seabird known for its immense presence over the Southern Ocean. This species embodies a life of constant motion, spending the majority of its existence soaring across vast marine expanses. Its Latin name, exulans, translates to “wanderer,” reflecting its extensive flights across the globe’s southern waters.
Defining Characteristics
The wandering albatross is distinguished by its impressive physical attributes, possessing the widest wingspan of any living bird, typically reaching up to 3.5 meters (11.5 feet). This extraordinary wingspan allows them to glide efficiently, often for hours without flapping, utilizing air currents above the ocean.
Adult wandering albatrosses display white plumage across their body, head, and neck, with black markings on their wing edges and tips. Their large, pale pink bill is prominent, along with pale pink feet. Younger birds start with mostly dark brown plumage that gradually whitens with age. These birds typically measure between 107 to 135 centimeters (3.5 to 4.4 feet) in length and weigh from 6 to 12 kilograms (13 to 26 pounds).
Oceanic Habitat
Wandering albatrosses inhabit the vast Southern Ocean, circling the globe between Antarctica and the Tropic of Capricorn. They are largely pelagic, spending most of their lives at sea, covering thousands of kilometers across open waters. They use dynamic soaring to travel immense distances with minimal energy expenditure.
These seabirds only return to land for breeding, typically on remote, sub-Antarctic islands. Key breeding colonies are found on islands such as South Georgia, the Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, and Macquarie Island, situated between 46° and 56°S latitude. These islands provide tussock grass and sheltered nesting areas.
Diet and Foraging
The diet of the wandering albatross primarily consists of marine organisms, such as squid, fish, and crustaceans. They also consume jellyfish and scavenge on carrion like penguins and seals. These birds typically forage at the ocean surface, picking prey while gliding, a method known as surface-seizing.
While they can make shallow dives, they are not adapted for deep underwater hunting and primarily feed during daylight hours. Foraging trips can last from several hours to 20 days, covering vast distances for food. They also follow ships, taking advantage of discarded refuse or offal.
Life History and Reproduction
The wandering albatross has a slow reproductive rate, long lifespan, and delayed sexual maturity. They can live for many decades, with some individuals reaching 60 years. They typically begin breeding between 5 and 10 years old, often returning to their natal island to find a mate.
Wandering albatrosses form strong, monogamous pair bonds that often last for their entire lives. Their extensive breeding cycle occurs only once every two years due to the demanding nature of raising a chick. Both parents share the responsibilities of incubating the single egg and rearing the chick. The chick-rearing period is long, lasting approximately 300 days, during which a chick consumes substantial food. This extended parental care means adults require a full year to recover before breeding again, contributing to their slow reproductive output.
Conservation Status
The wandering albatross is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, indicating a significant extinction risk. This status reflects a decreasing population, primarily driven by human threats.
A major threat is bycatch in longline fisheries, where birds are unintentionally hooked and drowned while feeding on bait. Plastic pollution also poses a risk, as albatrosses can ingest debris, leading to injury or starvation. Climate change impacts, such as altered ocean currents and prey distribution, affect food availability and breeding success. Conservation efforts include seabird-friendly fishing practices and international agreements, such as ACAP, aimed at reducing mortality and protecting habitats.