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Albatrosses, of the biological family Diomedeidae, are large seabirds related to the procellariids, storm petrels, and diving petrels in the order Procellariiformes (the tubenoses). They range widely in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific.
Jul 24, 2020 · 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 credit: Shutterstock)
- 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.
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Learn about albatross, the family of large seabirds that can glide for hours without flapping their wings. Find out their distribution, behaviour, life cycle, and threats from hunting and pollution.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Albatrosses are the largest birds with wingspans up to 11 feet. They live for decades, mate for life, and follow ships for food. Learn more about these feathered giants and their conservation status.
Learn about the Albatross, the largest seabird with the longest wingspan and life span. Discover their description, behavior, reproduction, and the dangers they face from human activities.
Learn about the 22 species of albatross, their threats, and how to help them. Watch videos of their amazing courtship dances and foraging trips, and find out how to become a species champion or a member of BirdLife.
