Waved Albatross

The Waved Albatross, Phoebastria irrorata - also known as Galapagos Albatross - is the only member of the Diomedeidae family located in the tropics. When they forage, the Waved Albatross follow straight paths to a single site off the coast of Peru, about 1,000 km distant to the east. During the non-breeding season, these birds reside primarily in the areas of the Ecuador and Peruvian coasts.

The Waved Albatross is classified as Critically Endangered (CR), facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Waved Albatrosses are a type of Albatross that belong to Diomedeidae family and come from the Procellariiformes order, along with Shearwaters, Fulmars, Storm-petrels, and Diving-petrels. They share certain identifying features. First, they have nasal passages that attach to the upper bill called naricorns. Although the nostrils on the Albatross are on the sides of the bill. The bills of Procellariiformes are also unique in that they are split into between 7 and 9 horny plates. More

The Waved Albatross is also known as Galapagos Albatross. It is the largest of the Galapagos birds with a massive wingspan of 7 - 8 feet and weighing 7 - 11 pounds. They can grow to measure 86 centimetres (34 inches) in length. Waved Albatrosses are distinctive for their yellowish-cream neck and head, which contrasts with their mostly brownish bodies. More

The Waved Albatross derives its name from the wave-like pattern of their feathers on the adult birds. Description These are medium-sized albatrosses, measuring about 86" More

Waved albatrosses breed in the Galápagos Islands. After they leave the nest, young waved albatrosses will spend six years at sea before they return to land once more. What do they sound like? - 1. Waved albatross courtship calls Watch video clips from past programmes (1 clip) - In order to see this content you need to have an up-to-date version of Flash installed and Javascript turned on. More

one, the Waved Albatross, breeds in the Galapagos Islands and feeds off the coast of South America. The need for wind in order to glide is the reason albatrosses are for the most part confined to higher latitudes; being unsuited to sustained flapping flight makes crossing the doldrums extremely difficult. The exception, the Waved Albatross, is able to live in the equatorial waters around the Galapagos Islands because of the cool waters of the Humboldt Current and the resulting winds. More

The population of Waved Albatrosses on the Gal More

The waved albatross is unique in being the largest bird in the Galapagos Islands, and the only albatross species found entirely within the tropics (3). It has a white head, with a tinge of creamy-yellow on its crown and neck. The body plumage is mostly a chestnut-brown, with a whitish breast and underwing. Its bill is a dull yellow, and its feet are bluish (5). Juveniles differ slightly from adults by having a whiter head and a duller bill (2). More

The waved albatross breeds on Española Island in the Galapagos Islands, and possibly also on Isla de la Plata, off the coast of Ecuador (1). It is seen at sea throughout this region (3). - This is an open ocean species that comes to land to breed, at which time it can be found on cliffs, rocky shores and shrubland (3). More

wonderful experience of my life! The Waved Albatross were my absolute FAVORITE! Puppynurse il y a 2 ans * JerseySicko il y a 2 ans can't wait to go there. More

breeding ground for the endemic Waved Albatross and for Blue-footed Boobies and other seabirds. As at all the islands the number of tourists per day is strictly regulated and visitors are restricted to walking a defined path at a landing site known as Punta Suarez. On the beach were the usual sea lions and marine iguanas and the Hood Mockingbird a bird reputed to puncture unattended Albatross eggs. From the landing beach we started a walk along an easy path around the point. More

major waved albatross breeding site is located on the archipelago's southeastern island of Espanola (Hood). For many centuries, these birds have bred without the impact of humans and as a result, have evolved little fear of humans. Through this unique fearlessness, the species provides human researchers a unique opportunity to observe mating behavior in its natural setting without triggering defensive responses. More

This adult waved albatross on Hood Island (or Espanola) is preparing to breed. You can see the wavy pattern of feathers on the chest that give the bird its name. The albatross does not build a nest; it needs merely to find a suitable spot among the boulder fields. Here it scrapes a rough depression that serves as a nest. More

Introduction: The Waved Albatross breeds on the Galapagos Islands and spends the rest of its time foraging in the rich Humboldt Current waters of Northern Peru and Southern Ecuador. Its population is shrinking rapidly, and it was just upgraded to Critically Endangered, which makes it one of the very few seabirds to meet Alliance for Zero Extinction criteria. The known threats are intentional catch (for human consumption), accidental bycatch in long-lining fisheries and overgrowth of vegetation on the nesting grounds. More

Pair of Waved Albatross on Espanola, Galapagos Is. Nov 1992. Photograph copyright of Angus Wilson More

Waved Albatross In Flight Copyright © 2009 JungleWalk.com and its licensors. Note: The image and caption placement shown above is only approximate. A more accurate representation will be displayed once you click on the 'customize' buttons and get to the zazzle design studio. • Choose your product You have chosen to buy a T-Shirt with this image. More

other birds that primarily glide, waved albatrosses rely on a strong headwind to take off. This, they find at Pta. Cevallos. The Pta. Suarez colony is at the top of a sea cliff, to which the birds can walk. They take flight simply by jumping off. It is typical to find large rafts of albatrosses sitting just off shore. More