Wandering albatross

Wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) have a white head, neck and body, a wedge-shaped tail, and a large pink beak.

Juveniles have mostly dark plumage, which gradually whitens with age.

Wandering albatross are found right across the Southern Ocean, including Antarctic, sub-Antarctic and subtropical waters.

Wandering albatross breed on sub-Antarctic and Antarctic islands between 46° and 56°S such as Iles Kerguelen, South Georgia and Macquarie Island.

Wandering albatross breed only once every two years, and the task of incubating the half-kilogram egg and rearing the chick is shared by both parents.

Their diet consists of fish, cephalopods, jellyfish, and on rare occasions crustaceans. They also eat penguin and seal carrion.

Chicks may consume up to 100kg of food during their rearing period, which lasts for approximately 300 days.

Foraging trips of wandering albatross can last for 50 days at a time but tend to be much shorter during the breeding season.

Young birds will remain at sea for 5 to 10 years before returning to their natal island to breed.

Research shows that decreasing populations are due to the birds being caught in long-line fishing operations.

Links

Taxonomic information on wandering albatross

Australian Antarctic Science (AAS) projects relating to wandering albatross

Australian Antarctic Magazine - Heard Island's seabirds under scrutiny

Monitoring for long-term or cumulative impacts in Southern Ocean seabirds [Research project details]

Seabird mortality in longline fisheries

Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP)

See more information on the Australian Antarctic scientific research program