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Galapagos (waved) albatross

Phoebastria irrorata

Description:

These are medium-sized albatrosses, measuring about 86–90 cm (34–35 in) long, weighing in at 3.4 kg (7.5 lb), and having a wingspan 2.25m or 7.4 ft. They are distinctive for their yellowish-cream neck and head, which contrasts with their mostly brownish bodies. Even more distinctive is the very long, bright yellow bill, which looks disproportionately large in comparison to the relatively small head and long, slender neck. They also have chestnut brown upper parts and underparts, except for the breast, with fine barring, a little coarser on the rump. They have brown upper-wings, back, and tail, along with a whitish breast and underwings. Their axillaries are brown. Finally they have blue feet. Juveniles are similar to adults except for more white on their head. Chicks have brown fluffy feathers. The lifespan of this species may reach 40 to 45 years.

Habitat:

When they forage, the Waved Albatross follow straight paths to a single site off the coast of Peru, about 1,000 km (620 mi) distant to the east. During the non-breeding season, these birds reside primarily in the areas of the Ecuador and Peruvian coasts. I only saw one colony of breeding birds in the island of Española.

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2 Comments

The MnMs
The MnMs 12 years ago

And they also travel such long distances! I think I read before that they can even sleep while still flying by disconnecting one part of the brain at a time. Although this is not unique of albatrosses and is know to happen also for other many animals including dolphins and me at work..(well, the latter is obviously a joke :-)

SarahWhitt
SarahWhitt 12 years ago

Marta...what great photos! These are my favorite birds!
It's also my understanding that they mate for life!! :)

The MnMs
Spotted by
The MnMs

Ecuador

Spotted on Sep 8, 2005
Submitted on Jun 16, 2011

Related Spottings

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Nearby Spottings

Albatros. Waved albatross Blue-footed booby Galapagos sea lion Waved albatross

Reference

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