Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Diomedea exulans
Gazetted date:
15 Nov 1996
Profile last updated:
13 Nov 2024
Description
The Wandering Albatross is the largest of albatrosses with the greatest wingspan of living birds (up to 3.5m). Plumage varies widely, with the amount of white dependent upon the sex, age (generally whiter with age) and population characteristics at its breeding island. Males are white above and below, including crown. They have white upperparts; breast has varying densities of fine black wavy lines. Tail white, sometimes tipped black. Outer dorsal wing and trailing edge black. Underwing white, extreme tip always black. Legs and webbed feet are a pale flesh colour, while the powerful bill is pink, tipped yellow. Females are similar to males however always have brown speckles or striations on the crown. A series of plumage phases are passed through as young birds reach full adult plumage, which can take up to nine years.
Distribution
The Wandering Albatross visits Australian waters extending from Fremantle, Western Australia, across the southern water to the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland between June and Spetember. It has been recorded along the length of the NSW coast. At other times birds roam the southern oceans and commonly follow fishing vessels for several days.
Habitat and ecology
- Wandering albatross spend the majority of their time in flight, soaring over the southern oceans.
- They breed on a number of islands just north of the Antarctic Circle: South Georgia Island (belonging to the UK), Prince Edward and Marion Islands (South Africa), Crozet and Kerguelen Islands (French Southern Territories) and Macquarie Island (Australia).
- Breeding takes place on exposed ridges and hillocks, amongst open and patchy vegetation.
- Wandering albatross pairs mate for life; these long-lived birds do not reach sexual maturity until 9-11 years of age.
- Wandering Albatross breed bienially in small, loose colonies among grass tussocks, using a large mud nest.
- A single egg is laid; both parents incubate the egg (that hatches after two months) and feed the growing chick, which remains on the nest for around 9 months.
- They feed in pelagic, offshore and inshore waters, often at night, taking fish and cephalopods such as squid, crustaceans and carrion, and will often follow ships feeding on the refuse they trail.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- The mobility of this species means individuals have a high probability of encountering longline fishing boats from which they take bait, frequently swallowing hooks and drowning or dying from injuries after release; worldwide an estimated 9,500 individuals per year are killed by longline fishing.
- Wandering Albatross are also shot for bait or to prevent them scavenging bait from dropline fisheries.
- Breeding success and/or nest-site selection is probably adversely affected by an elevated number of Subantarctic Skuas (birds) and human disturbance.
- Ingestion of plastics and hooks and their regurgitation to chicks, entanglement in marine debris and accumulation of chemical contaminants may also pose risks to this species.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Avoid discarding any debris at sea, particularly plastic.
- Implement predator control programs.
- Support the replacement of longline fishing by other techniques.
- Encourage the use of fishing techniques that reduce the catch of seabirds, including the setting of lines for fishing operations at night and weighting of lines to ensure that they sink quickly.
Information sources
- NSW Scientific Committee (1996) Wandering albatross - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
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