Quick answer
Wandering albatrosses have wingspans up to 3.5 metres — the longest of any living bird — weighing about 10 kg and living 50 years. They glide for hours without flapping, sleeping on the wing over southern oceans — listed Vulnerable from fishing hooks.
Key takeaway
Wandering albatrosses have wingspans up to 3.5 metres — the longest of any living bird — weighing about 10 kg and living 50 years. They glide for hours without flapping, sleeping on the wing over southern oceans — listed Vulnerable from fishing hooks.
Wandering Albatross overview
Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans) is a bird listed here as Vulnerable. Typical weight 8–12 kg (18–26 lb); males larger; lifespan around 40–50 years (longest-lived birds).
Wandering Albatross ecology
Diet: Carnivore — squid, fish, and carrion. Habitat: Southern Ocean and sub-Antarctic islands. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Wandering Albatrosss and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild wandering albatrosss are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Vulnerable. See the full Wandering Albatross profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
Conservation and coexistence
Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change threaten many populations. Responsible ecotourism and community conservation help in parts of their range. Never approach or feed wild wandering albatrosses.
Human interest and research
Wandering Albatrosss feature in folklore, tourism, and scientific study worldwide. Ongoing research tracks population trends, genetics, and responses to environmental change — data that guides national protection policies.
Sources
Wandering Albatross FAQs
What are key facts about wandering albatrosss?
Wandering albatrosses have wingspans up to 3.5 metres — the longest of any living bird — weighing about 10 kg and living 50 years. They glide for hours without flapping, sleeping on the wing over southern oceans — listed Vulnerable from fishing hooks.
What is the scientific name of the wandering albatross?
Diomedea exulans — used in research and conservation listings for wandering albatrosss.
What do wandering albatrosss eat?
Wandering Albatrosss eat squid, fish, and carrion, with seasonal and regional variation in Southern Ocean and sub-Antarctic islands.
Where do wandering albatrosss live?
They are associated with Southern Ocean and sub-Antarctic islands. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of wandering albatrosss?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.