Wandering Albatross Description
Species Profile
For
Wandering Albatross
Diomedea exulans
prepared for
MSC 276 – Marine Vertebrate Zoology
By
John Feickert jefeickert137@mail.cfcc.edu Submitted : February 9, 2017 Names and classification
Diomedea exulans
Wandering Albatross
Synonyms: Snowy Albatross
Family: Diomedeidae Wandering Albatross
Description
Of the four species of Wanderers, Diomedea exulans or commonly referred to as the Wandering Albatross, is the largest. With a body length of 110-135cm and a wingspan ranging from 2.50m – 3.50m, they are one of the largest flying birds on earth. The Wandering Albatross has a very distinct, large, pink colored bill with a hooked tip. The juvenile Diomedea exulans have a dark brown body and look as if they are wearing …show more content…
A wandering albatross that is almost out of the juvenile stage (CoolAntartica, 2017).
Figure 2. A male (left) and a female (right) Wandering Albatross
Distribution
Diomedea exulans is a pelagic bird. They are circumpolar in the southern oceans (Figure 3). Most commonly they can be seen from the Tropic of Capricorn southward to about 60°S and on the western coastlines of Africa and the southern coastlines of South America. Some Wandering Albatross have been seen as north as 15°S-10°S (Harrison, 1983) although there are records of the wandering albatross in the northern hemisphere (Avibirds.com, 2017). Wandering Albatross are not prevalent on the ocean waters off the coast of North Carolina (Fitter, 2008). These majestic birds are known for what is referred to as dynamic soaring where they can straighten their wings, lock them in place, and use nothing but wind speed and the wind direction over the oceans swells to glide for long distances at a time. They use less energy while soaring than they do sitting on the nest (Fitzgerald, 2013). Figure 3. The areas in the darker blue represent the global distribution of Diomedea exulans. (Avibirds.com, …show more content…
Wandering Albatross have the ability to dive up to a depth of 2.5m in order to catch food and they have been known to follow ships and commercial vessels and feed off the offal and waste that comes from these boats (Fitter, 2008).
Endangered species status
The Wandering Albatross, Diomedea exulans, is currently listed as vulnerable and has been since 1996 (IUCN, 2017).
Threats and Limiting Factors
The biggest threat to the wandering albatross is incidental bycatch from a commercial fishing technique known as longline fishing. They are killed by the thousands when longlines are being set. They bite the baited hooks and are pulled under and they drown (Weimerskirch & Wilson, 2008). The night setting of longline fishing lines around South Georgia have reduced some of this incidental bycatch and other commercial fishing practices are being tested (Fitter, 2008). Another threat to the survival of wandering albatross are skuas that take unattended chicks and eggs (Fitter, 2008).
Literature Cited
Avibirds.com (2017). Profile Wandering Albatross. Retrieved from
For
Wandering Albatross
Diomedea exulans
prepared for
MSC 276 – Marine Vertebrate Zoology
By
John Feickert jefeickert137@mail.cfcc.edu Submitted : February 9, 2017 Names and classification
Diomedea exulans
Wandering Albatross
Synonyms: Snowy Albatross
Family: Diomedeidae Wandering Albatross
Description
Of the four species of Wanderers, Diomedea exulans or commonly referred to as the Wandering Albatross, is the largest. With a body length of 110-135cm and a wingspan ranging from 2.50m – 3.50m, they are one of the largest flying birds on earth. The Wandering Albatross has a very distinct, large, pink colored bill with a hooked tip. The juvenile Diomedea exulans have a dark brown body and look as if they are wearing …show more content…
A wandering albatross that is almost out of the juvenile stage (CoolAntartica, 2017).
Figure 2. A male (left) and a female (right) Wandering Albatross
Distribution
Diomedea exulans is a pelagic bird. They are circumpolar in the southern oceans (Figure 3). Most commonly they can be seen from the Tropic of Capricorn southward to about 60°S and on the western coastlines of Africa and the southern coastlines of South America. Some Wandering Albatross have been seen as north as 15°S-10°S (Harrison, 1983) although there are records of the wandering albatross in the northern hemisphere (Avibirds.com, 2017). Wandering Albatross are not prevalent on the ocean waters off the coast of North Carolina (Fitter, 2008). These majestic birds are known for what is referred to as dynamic soaring where they can straighten their wings, lock them in place, and use nothing but wind speed and the wind direction over the oceans swells to glide for long distances at a time. They use less energy while soaring than they do sitting on the nest (Fitzgerald, 2013). Figure 3. The areas in the darker blue represent the global distribution of Diomedea exulans. (Avibirds.com, …show more content…
Wandering Albatross have the ability to dive up to a depth of 2.5m in order to catch food and they have been known to follow ships and commercial vessels and feed off the offal and waste that comes from these boats (Fitter, 2008).
Endangered species status
The Wandering Albatross, Diomedea exulans, is currently listed as vulnerable and has been since 1996 (IUCN, 2017).
Threats and Limiting Factors
The biggest threat to the wandering albatross is incidental bycatch from a commercial fishing technique known as longline fishing. They are killed by the thousands when longlines are being set. They bite the baited hooks and are pulled under and they drown (Weimerskirch & Wilson, 2008). The night setting of longline fishing lines around South Georgia have reduced some of this incidental bycatch and other commercial fishing practices are being tested (Fitter, 2008). Another threat to the survival of wandering albatross are skuas that take unattended chicks and eggs (Fitter, 2008).
Literature Cited
Avibirds.com (2017). Profile Wandering Albatross. Retrieved from