WANDERING ALBATROSS habitat in POLAR HABITAT facts pointwise
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Wandering Albatross
These remarkably efficient gliders, named after the Greek hero Diomedes, have the largest wingspan of any bird on the planet
Wandering Albatross
Region: Antarctica
Destinations: Bouvet Island, Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia
Name: Wandering Albatross, Snowy Albatross, White-winged Albatross (Diomedea exulans)Length: Up to 135 cm.Weight: 6 to 12kg.Location: All oceans except in the North Atlantic.Conservation status: Vulnerable.Diet: Cephalopods, small fish, crustaceans.Appearance: White with grey-black wings, hooked bill.
Answer:
The Wandering Albatross is the largest member of its genus (Diomedea) and is one of the largest birds in the world.
Wandering Albatrosses are also one of the best known and most studied species of birds.
Diomedea refers to Diomedes, a hero in Greek mythology; of all the Acheaens he and Ajax were 2nd only to Achilles in prowess. In mythology all of his companions turned into birds. Exulans is Latin for “exile” or “wanderer.”
Wandering Albatrosses have the largest wingspan of any bird in the world today, stretching up to 3.5 metres across.
Wandering Albatrosses are great gliders – they can soar through the sky without flapping their wings for several hours at a time. They’re so efficient at flying that they can actually use up less energy in the air than they would while sitting in a nest.
Wandering Albatrosses have a special gland above their nasal passage that excretes a high saline solution. This helps keep salt level in their body, combating all the salt water they take in.
Wandering Albatrosses get whiter the older they get.