Albatross Sea Birds

An albatross aloft can be a spectacular sight. These feathered giants have the longest wingspan of any bird—up to 11 feet! An eagle has a large wingspan too but not as large. The wandering albatross is the biggest of some two dozen different species. Albatrosses use their wingspans to ride the ocean winds and sometimes to glide for hours without rest. They also float on the sea’s surface, though the position makes them vulnerable to aquatic predators. Albatrosses drink salt water, as do some other sea birds.

These long-lived birds have reached 50 years of age. They are rarely seen on land and gather only to breed; at which time they form large colonies on remote islands. Mating pairs produce a single egg and take turns caring for it. Young albatrosses may fly within three to ten months, depending on the species, but then leave the land behind for some five to ten years until they themselves reach maturity. Some species appear to mate for life.

Albatrosses feed primarily on squid or schooling fish but are familiar to mariners because they sometimes follow ships in hopes of dining on handouts or garbage. I have seen garbage off of ships on the beach in MO clips.

Some albatross species were heavily hunted for feathers that were used as down and in the manufacture of women’s hats. The Laysan albatross was important to the indigenous hunters of the northern seas. Excavations of Aleut and Eskimo settlements reveal many albatross bones and suggest that the birds were an important part of human diet in the region. Isn’t that interesting?

I saw these birds in the trees off the beach at the ocean, when I went on my trip by myself. They are awesome birds! Don’t you think? I did see a lot of seagulls eating the critters out of all kinds of shells like the sand dollars and crabs. What an amazing experience when chasing the waves with my dog.