Wandering albatross

Introduction: As the Latin word exulans suggests, wandering albatrosses (Diomedea exulans) cover a wide-range of oceanic sea on their travels. Generally a solitary bird, they are strongly attracted to ships, scavenging for discarded kitchen waste. Named after Diomedes, the king of Argos, who was driven by a storm onto the coast of Italy, his companions being transformed into birds after his death.

Distribution: Rare sightings have been recorded around Möwe Bay on the Skeleton Coast.

Diet: Primarily a scavenger. Eats squid, crustaceans, carrion (whales, penguins, seals and petrels) and jellyfish.

Description: Huge hump-backed albatross with white backs and pinkish bills. Black flight feathers.

Breeding: Nests are large mounds of vegetation. Extralimital.

Size: 125cm.

Weight: 9kg.

Wingspan: 3.5m.