Wandering albatross in flight, over the open sea, Diomedea exulans

Wandering albatross in flight, over the open sea. The wandering albatross has the largest wingspan of any living bird, with the wingspan between, up to 12' from wingtip to wingtip. It can soar on the open ocean for hours at a time, riding the updrafts from individual swells, with a glide ratio of 22 units of distance for every unit of drop. The wandering albatross can live up to 23 years. They hunt at night on the open ocean for cephalopods, small fish, and crustaceans. The survival of the species is at risk due to mortality from long-line fishing gear. Southern Ocean, Diomedea exulans, natural history stock photograph, photo id 24071
Wandering albatross in flight, over the open sea. The wandering albatross has the largest wingspan of any living bird, with the wingspan between, up to 12' from wingtip to wingtip. It can soar on the open ocean for hours at a time, riding the updrafts from individual swells, with a glide ratio of 22 units of distance for every unit of drop. The wandering albatross can live up to 23 years. They hunt at night on the open ocean for cephalopods, small fish, and crustaceans. The survival of the species is at risk due to mortality from long-line fishing gear. Southern Ocean

This image is featured in: The World's Greatest Photo Subjects, Best Photos of 2010, Prion Island, South Georgia Island, En Route to South Georgia Island

Species: Wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans
Location: Southern Ocean
Image ID: 24071
Format: Digital 3:2
Keywords: albatross, animal, animalia, aves, bird, chordata, diomedea, diomedea exulans, diomedeidae, exulans, flight, fly, flying, oceans, portfolio, procellariiformes, sea bird, seabird, soar, south georgia island, southern ocean, vertebrata, vertebrate, wandering albatross, wildlife, wings
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