Many years ago, the albatross was hunted for its feathers, which were used in a variety of apparel, including women's hats. Even albatross in the same area can have quite different diets in Hawaii, the black-footed albatross dines mainly on fish, while another resident, the Laysan, prefers squid.Īs imposing as they are in flight, albatross exist in a delicate balance, where currently 17 of those 21 species are threatened with extinction. Experts estimate there are between 13 and 24 species of albatross, with 21 being the most widely accepted figure. Because they spend the rest of their time at sea, scientists haven't yet been able to study their diet year-round.ĭifferent species enjoy different fare. What we know of the albatross diet reflects only their choices during the breeding season, however. They'll also scavenge carrion and dine on krill and other zooplankton, as required. Passengers shouldn't be surprised to see one or more these birds flying overhead, hoping to swoop in for an unattended bite. Carnivorous, imposing albatrossĪlbatross are carnivores and feed primarily on schooling fish, crab, shrimp, lobster and squid. Many species of albatross are believed to mate for life. Once the young albatross is able to comfortably fly on its own, it leaves land for up to 10 years, not returning until it reaches peak sexual maturity. After birth, most albatross take to the air within three to 12 months (depending largely on the species). Both mates then watch over the egg until it hatches. When albatross mate, a single egg is produced. The albatross has one of the longest lifespans of any bird, often times reaching 50 years or age in the wild.Īlbatross take to remote, isolated areas like the Falkland Islands (black-browed albatross) and South Georgia (wandering, black-browed, grey-headed and light-mantled albatross) in the South Atlantic, to breed. When it comes time to take a break, they can touch down both on land and water, though they tend to spend time on land only to breed (usually on remote islands).
Dynamic soaring and slope soaring, two unique flight techniques, enable the enormous birds to stay airborne with very little exertion. Thanks to their vast wingspan, the albatross is able to glide for many hours without rest. Weighing up to 20 pounds on average, they're difficult to miss on your polar expedition. In addition to its overall beauty and grace, the albatross has the largest wingspan of any bird, measuring as wide as 12 feet. Jewels of the Russian Arctic: Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlyaįew sights are as breathtaking as an albatross in flight. High Arctic Odyssey: Remote Russian Archipelagos Spitsbergen Photography: Under the Midnight Sun Spitsbergen Photography: In Search of Polar Bears Spitsbergen Photography: Domain of the Polar Bear Spitsbergen In Depth: Big Islands, Big Adventure Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief Spitsbergen Explorer: Wildlife Capital of the Arctic Intro to Spitsbergen: Fjords, Glaciers and Wildlife of Svalbard North Pole: The Ultimate Arctic AdventureĪrctic Saga: Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen Under the Northern Lights: Exploring Iceland & East Greenland Three Arctic Islands: Iceland, Greenland, Spitsbergen Greenland Explorer: Sail and Soar the Alpine Arctic Greenland Adventure: Explore by Sea, Land and Air Gems of West Greenland: Fjords, Icebergs, and Culture Northwest Passage: In the Footsteps of FranklinĮssential Greenland: Southern Coasts and Disko Bayįour Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Greenland and Iceland South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula: Penguin SafariĮssential Patagonia: Chilean Fjords and Torres del PaineĮmperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow HillĪrctic Express Canada: The Heart of the Northwest Passageīest of the Western Arctic: Canada and GreenlandĬanada’s Remote Arctic: Northwest Passage to Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg Islands
Albatross wingspan plus#
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th ContinentĪntarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent plus Cape Horn & Diego Ramirezįalkland Islands & South Georgia ExpeditionsĮpic Antarctica: Crossing the Circle via Falklands and South Georgiaįalklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica: Explorers and Kings
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