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Albatrosses are large seabirds related to the procellariids, storm petrels, and diving petrels in the order Procellariiformes. They range widely in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific, and have a diverse taxonomy with 21 species in four genera.
- One Albatross Has the Largest Wingspan of Any Living Bird. The wingspan of a wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) measures up to 12 feet across, which makes it the largest extant bird on Earth in terms of wingspan.
- They Can Go Years Without Touching Land. Once they fledge, albatrosses may spend a year or more at sea without setting foot on land, most of which is spent flying.
- They Can Live and Raise Chicks Into Their 60s. All albatrosses are long-lived birds that can survive for many decades. Some live well beyond 50. The best-known example comes from a Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) named Wisdom, who was first banded by scientists in 1956 at Midway Atoll.
- They Mate for Life (With Some Wiggle Room) Albatrosses mate for life. They form a long-term bond with one partner and are often said to have the lowest "divorce rate" of any bird; mated pairs virtually never split up until one dies.
Albatrosses are the largest birds with wingspans up to 11 feet. They live for decades, mate for life, and feed on squid and fish. Learn more about these seafaring giants and their interactions with humans.
Jul 24, 2020 · Here’s how it works . A black-browed albatross getting ready to take off at the Falkland Islands. Albatross are expert gliders, and spent most of their lives flying above the ocean.(Image...
Aug 14, 2024 · Albatross, (family Diomedeidae), any of more than a dozen species of large seabirds that collectively make up the family Diomedeidae (order Procellariiformes). Because of their tameness on land, many albatrosses are known by the common names mollymawk (from the Dutch for “foolish gull”) and gooney.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
May 27, 2024 · Learn about the albatross, the largest wingspan of any bird in the world, and its evolution, types, and conservation status. See photos of different albatross species and their distinctive features.
Aug 8, 2011 · Photographer Frans Lanting talks of his epic journey to capture images of the albatross, a hauntingly beautiful bird enshrined in legend and poetry. Subscri...
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- National Geographic
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