An albatross aloft can be a spectacular sight. These feathered giants have the longest wingspan of any bird—up to 11 feet (3.4 meters)! The wandering albatross is the biggest of some two dozen different species. Albatrosses use their formidable wingspans to ride the ocean winds and sometimes to glide for hours without rest or even a flap of their wings. 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.
Know more:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/albatross/
#infographic via Juan Velasco/National Geographic
Explore the physical traits that allow albatrosses to be such efficient masters of the high seas in this interactive graphic:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/12/albatross/albatross-flying-interactive
#biodiversity #albatross
Very good post and info, albatrosses are an impressive bird that is for sure, I would love to see one someday.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post :)
ReplyDeleteWow! 11ft wingspan? Would be nice to see one.
ReplyDeleteAmazing birds.
ReplyDeleteAlways fascinating to read information about something new ... great post
ReplyDeleteDidn't know they could drink salt-water! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing they actually are scooping up the fresh water layer which forms from rain falling on calm seas.
ReplyDeleteThank You for the morning lesson Corina Marinescu !
ReplyDeleteI was watching a documentary on the Galapagos island and they said all the albatrosses in the world nested together on that one single island. I see by the number of species in your diagram, that can't be correct. Must be one species in particular.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Bliss So what are they drinking when its not raining?
ReplyDeleteAntoine Tamondong Good question.
ReplyDeleteThey may have the ability to smell or even see a freshwater layer from many miles away.
My untested hypothesis was interjected here, mostly to remind people that science is a back and forth process of speculation and testing of those speculations. We see them dipping their beaks into the ocean as they fly, and we jump to obvious conclusions. Now we need to test those conclusions.
Antoine Tamondong Not all animals need to supplement their fluids with plain water. Many get enough fluid through their food. Since these birds do not sweat and their poop can be quite concentrated, their need for water would be quite low.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.audubon.org/news/what-happens-when-seabirds-drink-saltwater
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome
ReplyDeleteAlbatross flight has always intrigue me for they can fly it seems like forever over the oceans.
ReplyDeleteThat's right William Rust that's why engineers want to imitate albatross wings to design efficient airplanes that last longer in flying long distance..
ReplyDeleteMy ornithology professor shared the recent discovery that albatrosses are capable of taking short naps while in flight.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite impressive David Olsen
ReplyDeleteWas said that it's the bird of good omen to a ship and its crew.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful
ReplyDelete