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The laysan albatross is another species that can be seen off the coast of North America. Laysan albatross ( Phoebastria immutabilis) - Up to 9 lbs 7 oz (2,200 - 4,300g / 2.2 - 4.3kg) These vulnerable sea birds are most likely to turn up off the coast of Alaska in the north. The short-tailed albatross is the largest of the three species you are likely to encounter off the west coast of North America. Short-tailed albatross ( Phoebastria albatrus) - Up to 16lb 8oz (5,100 – 7,500g / 5.1 - 7.5kg) Like the wandering albatross, these heavy birds only occur in the windiest parts of the world since they can’t fly for very long in still conditions. The royal albatross is only slightly smaller than the wandering albatross, although weight varies greatly in both species. With such a great mass, these birds rely on strong winds to stay airborne, something they can do for very long periods of time. The wandering albatross has both the largest wingspan and the greatest mass of any flying seabird. Read on to learn which albatross species weigh the most. In fact, few flying birds reach the weight of albatrosses, and those that do certainly don’t have the same incredible flying abilities! They may be dwarfed by the wandering and royal albatross, but they are still very impressive in their own right!Īlbatrosses are surprisingly heavy for birds that spend so much time in the air. The black-footed albatross is the species you are most likely to see off the west coast of North America. These large seabirds can turn up just about anywhere offshore between the west coast of North America and Asia on the other side of the ocean.īlack-footed albatross ( Phoebastria nigripes) - Up to 7 feet 1 inch (193-216 cm) The short-tailed albatross has the largest wingspan of all the species found in the northern Pacific. Short-tailed albatross ( Phoebastria albatrus) - Up to 7 feet 10 inches (213-240 cm) epomophora) which breeds on the Campbell and Auckland islands is the larger of the two. Like the wandering albatross, the royal albatross has also been split into two subspecies. Royal albatross ( Diomedea epomophora)- Up to 11 feet 6 inches (290-351cm) exulans) of the Southern Ocean is the largest.
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There are 5 subspecies of wandering albatross, and the snowy wandering albatross (D. The wandering albatross has the largest wingspan of any living bird. Wandering albatross ( Diomedea exulans) - Up to 11 feet 6 inches (254-351cm) Read on to discover the albatross species with the largest wingspans.
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They use their long, narrow wings to travel incredible distances of up to 15 000 miles each month. When they are not breeding, these birds spend all of their lives out at sea, moving between rich fishing grounds. We’ll also learn about why these birds get so big and how they compare with other large bird species.Īlbatrosses have the largest wingspans of any flying birds on the planet. This article covers the impressive size of the largest albatrosses as well as the species you are most likely to see. They are able to fly into even strong wind without flapping by using the lift provided by their wings, their streamlined form, and the power of gravity. These birds soar low to the water surface using an energy-efficient flying method known as dynamic soaring. The largest albatross species can weigh over 26 pounds and measure well over 11 feet from wing tip to wing tip.Īlbatrosses are made for the air. Scientists are still working on their classification, but there are probably about two-dozen albatross species in four genera. In fact, these majestic birds have the largest wingspan of any living bird. Most of the world's albatrosses live and breed in the cold and windy southern oceans, although three species can be seen out over the open waters of the northern pacific.Īlbatrosses are the largest flying seabirds. Few birdwatchers get the chance to see these birds through their own binoculars because of their open ocean habitat and remote breeding sites, however. NFL footage © NFL Productions LLC.Albatrosses are some of the largest and most impressive birds in all the animal kingdom. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated.
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