Newsletter / Blog
2012-01-26 What bird has the greatest/longest wingspan?
The Wandering Albatross - Diomedea exulans, is the bird with the
greatest wingspan of any living bird, averaging from 2.51 to 3.50 m or 8.2 to
11.5 ft. The longest-winged examples verified have been in the region of 3.7 m or 12 ft. They can live for
over 50 years. Wandering Albatrosses spend most of their life in flight,
landing only to breed and feed.
Description
The adult
Wandering Albatross appears entirely white from a distance. Close up, the fine
black wavy lines on the breast, neck and upper back become visible. The bill
can vary in color, but is normally yellowish-pink. The white tail is
occasionally tipped with black and the back of the wing changes from black to
white with age. A series of plumage phases are passed through as young birds
reach full adult plumage, which can take up to nine years. Females are slightly
smaller than males.
Call
Braying, screams,
whistles and grunts.
Food
They feed on squid/Inkfish,
small fish, and crustaceans. They feed mainly at night and will follow fishing
vessels during the day, scavenging scraps. Galley refuse and floating waste also form
part of the diet.
Breeding
The Wandering Albatross
breeds every second year, in loose colonies on isolated islands in the Southern
Oceans. One white egg with a few spots laid. Eggs are laid December to January and
incubation takes about 11 weeks with both parents are involved. Adolescents
return to the colony within 6 years but will not start breeding until 11 to 15
years
Conservation Status – Vulnerable
This species is
undergoing a rapid population decline. The biggest threat to their survival is
long line fishing, followed by pollution, mainly plastics and fishing hooks.
Bird watching
See these
magnificent birds on a pelagic trip on one of the following Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures:-
Aves Western Cape Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves West Coast
Birding Tour / Safari /Adventure.
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