Albatross

Albatross Facts

• The term of Albatross actually represents the most frequently used common name for any of the members of an entire Family of seabirds. The group does have other general titles, though. These include mollymawk, gony, gooney bird, and snowbird.
• Collectively, this grouping contains a total of 22 recogninzed members. Each of these stands out in various ways, but shares certain attributes. Among them ranks the fact that these remarkable avians list as some of the largest winged wonders on earth.
• These marvels of Nature belong to the Family Diomedeidae. They received this placement due to the efforts of George Robert Gray, who assigned the name. The highly respected English ornithologist undertook his work in this regard in the year 1840.
• Intriguingly, at least from a scientific standpoint, even the number of species within the Family remains a matter of debate. Placement of avian species within it by various experts range in number from 13 – 24, with 21 being the most common number.
• Presently, however, the IUCN recognizes a total of 22 members of the group. Unfortunately, though, 21 of these list at some level of concern with the organization. These levels appear on the organizations published Red List of Threatened Species.
• Each faces multiple threats to their continued existence, of course. Some remain specific to them, while others they share with their brethren, and all forms of life on earth. These dangers chiefly include the perils of habitat loss and climate change.

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Albatross Physical Description

Regardless of which individual species of Albatross one observes, it never fails to capture the attention of the viewer. This occurs due to several reasons. Every member of the group varies, to be certain, but they’re all beautiful, as well as impressive large birds.

Each also follows patterns in that respect typical among its kindred around the globe. That’s reflected in the fact that it displays a certain degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In all instances, though, that trait is admittedly relatively minor.

This gender-based physical difference mainly occurs in terms of size, not outward coloring. Males of the Family do tend to be slightly larger and heavier than females, though the difference typically stays minimal and not noticeable without close measurement.

Males of a few member species do develop slightly larger bills than their female counterparts, however. Otherwise, though, individuals of both genders present the same basic dimensions. This often makes distinguishing the sexes at a casual glance difficult.

Given the number of different species carrying the name of Albatross, measurements naturally vary. Accordingly, however, body length generally ranges from roughly 2.2 – 4.5 ft (0.7 – 1.4 m). Weights additonally range from about 5.5 – 26 lb (2.5 – 12 kg).

Their stunning wings also evolved as comparatively long and narrow in structure. This natural design, in fact, ranks as the most impressive feature of these wonders of Nature. Depending on the species, wingspans range from an amazing 6.5 – 11 ft (2 – 3.4 m).

The pattern of colors of these breathtaking avians also serve as sources of wonder for many people. This, too, varies among the member species. The overall pattern, however, primarily consists of a brilliant shade of white, with smaller numbers of darker shades in places.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Procellariiformes
• Family: Diomedeidae

Albatross Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Between the various members of the Albatross Family, they inhabit an extraordinary swathe of the surface of the earth. The nature of that zone of habitat remains specific, though. That’s because the remarkable birds maintain a predominantly circumpolar distribution.

In the Southern Ocean, this includes around Antarctica and the subantarctic islands, including South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and the Kerguelen Islands. The waters around New Zealand also serve as host to several member species of this amazing Family.

Southern Australia qualifies a yet another very important habitat, particularly for species like the Shy Albatross. Meanwhile, the coasts of Chile and Argentina continue to be routinely frequented by several species, including the aptly-named Black-browed Albatross.

The intrepid product of evolution also appears within the Northern Hemisphere, in several areas. The coasts of Alaska and California, in the United States, rank as frequently significant habitats for species such as the Laysan Albatross and the Black-footed Albatross.

Several of the North Pacific islands and the marine waters near Japan and Russia also host several members of this remarkable group of birds. These islands continue to represent extremely crucial breeding sites for both the Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses.

Every version of Albatross shares certain traits Among those is the fact that it spends much of its life gliding over the open ocean, far from land. The animal’s extremely well adapted to long-distance flight, and can easily travel thousands of miles in search of food.

It consumes a wide range of prey. This does, however, mainly consist of fish, cephalopods, crustaceans, and zooplankton. It sometimes feeds on carrion, when available. Though it usually feeds near the surface, it’s not opposed to diving to depths of up to 41 ft (12.5 m).

Though the winged wonder spends much of its time far out at sea, when it breeds it does so as a colonial creature. This most commonly occurs on isolated islands. The size of these also varies between the different species in the Family. Most species live for up to 50 years.

Species Sharing Its Range

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