With a body size ranging from 20 to 50 inches long and weighing over 20 pounds, the Albatross is among the largest of birds.  The wingspan of the Great Albatross from the ‘Diomedea’ genus is larger than that of any other bird reaching over, an impressive 11 feet.

Albatross are sea birds and many believe that they hold the souls of sailors.  According to the poem, “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel T. Coleridge, if a sailor kills an albatross, then he would be forever be cursed.  

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The albatross can be located pretty much all over the world with the exception of the arctic.  Scientifically they are separated into four genera, the Great Albatross (Diomedea), Mollymawks (Thalassarche), North Pacific Albatross (Phoebastria) and the Sooty Albatross or Sooties (Phoebetria).  There is still argument as to how many species of albatross there are, somewhere between 13 and 24.

Soaring through the sky is where the albatross prefers to be.  An adult can fly 500 miles a day, reaching speeds up to 50 miles per hour without becoming exerted.  This is nothing however, for a bird that loves to be in the air.

They have a slightly pink fading to black bill that is not only strong, but sharp.  Along the sides of the bill run two tubes, or nostrils.  These tubes provide the albatross with an extremely heightened sense of smell, a very uncommon feature in birds.

The feathers of an adult albatross look similar to that of a seagull; they are white on the underside and deep brown on top.  The color pattern may change, of course, throughout the different species of albatross.  Some species have marking on their face and the Two Sooty Albatross is nearly all brown.

Their wings are stiff and thick, they are slightly curved making them extremely efficient for flying.  Albatross use two different soaring techniques when flying, that allows then to travel great distances.  The ability to be able to soar, glide and drop for long lengths of time means, as long as there is a breeze they do not have to use their wings.

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When their wings are fully extended, the albatross are able to lock them and just glide through the air.  Since they are gliding most of the time they are using very little energy and are able to travel hundreds of miles a day in search of food or for breeding grounds.

Albatross feed during the day and for the most part are surface feeders however, some species are known to dive 15 to 25 feet deep to get a bite.  Their diet includes squid, fish, krill, cephalopods and crustaceans.  The albatross are also scavengers and can be seen trailing fishing boats, grabbing whatever gets thrown back.

The Albatross will nest on secluded islands in colonies, some up to 70 nests.  Many species will even return to where they were born and establish its own nest.  Maturity will not be reached until five years of age, but mating normally does not take place for a few more years.  During this time the albatross will learn the mating dances and rituals.  It also gives the male and female a chance to get to know each other.  Once a male and female mate they stay together, separation is very, very rare.

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After mating has taken place a single egg will be laid and both parents will spend the next 70 to 80 days protecting the egg and incubating it.  After the egg hatches, again both parents take part in taking care of the chick.  They both get food for it, protect it and teach it.  Albatross take a long time to get the hang of flying and the chick will often stay with its parents for 140 to 280 days depending on species.  Once the young albatrosses learns to fly and is airborne, they get no further assistance from their parents.

In the past the albatross was threatened by those who wanted it feathers for trading, now it is lack of food because of over fishing, debris such as plastic in the oceans that birds choke on, cats and rats that eat their eggs and worst of all, the long-line fishing.  Birds are attracted to the bate used on these lines and when trying to get the bait they become entangles in the line and drown.  

With the number dwindling down and endangerment and extinction becoming more a reality, organizations and countries are working together to protect and preserve this incredible species.