The wandering albatross, which is adept at gliding, has the largest wingspan of any bird in the world, reaching up to 3.5 metres or 11 feet. Weighing between 17 and 25 pounds, this seabird can travel long distances for years without touching land. The species is known to circumnavigate the Southern Ocean thrice each year.
These frequent fliers are known for spending months in the air without touching down, as well as having some unique mating arrangements. However, thanks to harmful fishing techniques and predation by invasive species, albatrosses around the world are either under threat or endangered.
There are 23 species of albatrosses, though arguably the most famous is the wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans), which is the largest flying bird in the world. This bird has a 11-foot (3.4 meter) wingspan, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica — even bigger than the famous California condor — and it uses those massive flappers to travel thousands of miles in a single journey.
Credit : Live Science
Picture Credit : Google
