There are a group of Albatross species that are broadly known as The Great Albatrosses. The Great Albatrosses are divided into two species complexes, the 'Wandering and Amsterdam Albatrosses', and the 'Royal Albatrosses'. The splitting of the great albatrosses into six or seven species has been accepted by most, though not all, authorities.
I have to say that the ability of some people to be able to split these species in the field is nothing short of remarkable - although it has to said that readily available images on the back of a camera are of great help.
This week's WBW bird is a Diomedea exulans - which is also know as the Snowy Albatross, the White-Winged Albatross and the Wandering Albatross.
The Snowy Albatross has the longest wingspan of any living bird, reaching upwards of 3.5 m (11 ft), and adults can weigh from 5.9 to 12.7 kg (13 to 28 lb). They are by any standard a large and impressive bird. And as they glide in towards the boat - and occasionally settle on the water near it - they are an utter joy to watch.
These birds breed on a small number of sub-antarctic islands, but they can be seen anywhere in the southern oceans that surround Antartica. By any stretch of the imagination that's a lot water to call home.
I may have said it before and I'll probably say it again, but if you get the chance to see any albatross - take it.
To join in with WBW click on the link below. Hope all is well, SM
