Animal Profiles
Birds

Albatross

Diomedeidae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Albatrosses are ocean-going seabirds. This account describes the wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans), which ranges over southern seas and returns to subantarctic islands to breed.

Diomedea exulans (albatross)

Representative species: Diomedea exulans.

JJ Harrison ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/ ) · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Southern oceans and subantarctic breeding islands.
Habitat
Open ocean, Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Fish, squid and other marine animals.

Classification

Common name
Albatross
Browse group
Birds
Scientific name or taxon
Diomedeidae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Procellariiformes
Family
Diomedeidae
Source classification
Aves

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • A nesting pair raises a single chick.
  • Both parents incubate the egg.
  • Adults become whiter as they age.

Habitat and range

Wandering albatrosses spend most of their lives at sea. Breeding colonies occupy subantarctic islands, where nests lie among grasses and low vegetation. The cited account uses an older, broader taxonomic treatment, so its full subspecies ranges are not reproduced here.

Appearance and adaptations

Exceptionally long wings, a pink bill and pale underwings distinguish this large seabird. Young birds are much browner than mature adults.

Diet and behaviour

Fish and squid are seized near the surface, with crustaceans also taken. Pair bonds can last for years. Both adults share incubation and feed their chick during its long development.

Sources

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