Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans) in the wild — Catch'Um species field guide

Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans) wildlife photograph

Overview

Wandering albatrosses ride Southern Ocean winds on the largest wingspan of any living bird, gliding for hours without a flap. They return to remote islands to breed, then roam vast tracts of open ocean between nesting seasons.

For Antarctica and Australia collectors, this albatross is a legendary Southern Ocean prize — epic range, white adult plumage, and skies that feel endless.

Scientific nameDiomedea exulans
Length1.1–1.4 m body
Weight6–12 kg
LifespanAround 30–50 years in the wild
DietSquid
ConservationVulnerable
RegionSouthern Ocean Skies

Habitat

Pelagic Southern Ocean
Subantarctic breeding island
Windy coastal slope

Open Southern Ocean and subantarctic breeding islands with windy slopes; forage across cold pelagic waters far from land between breeding cycles.

Countries found

Field notes

Field scale for the Wandering Albatross: length around 1.1-1.4 m body; weight 6-12 kg. Typical lifespan: Around 30-50 years in the wild.

When you are scanning habitat, prioritise pelagic southern ocean, subantarctic breeding island, and windy coastal slope. Those settings are where a clean look and a usable photo are most likely.

Quick ID anchor: Huge white adult with black trailing wing edges and a pale pink bill; juveniles browner. Confirm with behaviour and habitat before you log the discovery.

Diet

Squid, fish, and carrion taken from the surface; often follow ships for discards.

Locate patchy prey across vast ocean distances using sight and smell.

Behaviour

Spend most of life on the wing; return to natal islands for long breeding seasons.

Monogamous pairs share incubation and chick-rearing over many months.

How to identify

Huge white adult with black trailing wing edges and a pale pink bill; juveniles browner.

Massive wingspan and stiff-winged gliding distinguish them from smaller albatrosses.

Interesting facts

01
Wingspan can exceed 3.5 m — largest of any bird.
02
Dynamic soaring lets them travel huge distances efficiently.
03
Breeding pairs may nest only every other year.
04
Chicks take many months to fledge on remote islands.
05
Diet centres on squid, fish, and fishery discards.
06
Long-lived birds can survive for decades at sea.

Conservation status

VU: Vulnerable

Wandering albatrosses are Vulnerable. Longline fisheries and other at-sea threats kill adults that breed slowly on few islands. Bycatch mitigation and island protection remain essential.

Sources: IUCN Red List