Diomedea exulans Linnaeus, 1758
Wandering albatross
photo by Auscape International

Family:  Diomedeidae ()
Max. size:  135 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 8,810.0 g
Environment:  others; marine
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean and the Antarctic. Subtropical to polar.
Diagnosis:  Culmen: 16.55 cm; tarsus: 15.14 cm; wing: 68.27 cm.
Biology:  Total Length: 107 to 135 cm (Ref. 8812); with the largest wingspan of any living bird (Ref. 82700). Total annual breeding population is 14,000 pairs or about 100,000 birds. They are known to breed bienially (Ref. 84934). Macquarie population endangered; Australian Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (Ref. 8812). Increase in mortality is caused by drowning on long-lines (Ref. 84934). Oceanic; predominantly offshore over waters >1000m depth (Ref. 89480). Breeds in loose colonies on grassy headlands and plateaux of oceanic islands. Follows ships (Ref. 91362). Feeds by scavenging and surface seizing (Ref. 89480). They have highly acidic stomachs (<2) pH that allows rapid digestion (Ref. 104317).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 07 August 2018 (A4bd) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

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