What is the average wingspan of an albatross?

Exulans, which they elevated to species status, and use the term wandering albatross to refer to a species complex that includes the proposed species D. Exulans, and D. The wandering albatross has the largest wingspan of any living bird, typically ranging from 2.51 to 3.5 m (8 ft 3 in to 11 ft 6 in), with a mean span of 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) in the Bird Island, South Georgia colony and an average of exactly 3 m (9 ft 10 in) in 123 birds measured off the coast of Malabar, New South Wales.

31011 On the Crozet Islands, adults averaged 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in) in wingspan. 12 The longest-winged examples verified have been about 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in). 11 Even larger examples have been claimed, with two giants reportedly measuring 4.22 m (13 ft 10 in) and 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in) but these reports remain unverified.

11 As a result of its wingspan, it is capable of remaining in the air without flapping its wings for several hours at a time (travelling 22 m for every metre of drop). 131415 The length of the body is about 107 to 135 cm (3 ft 6 in to 4 ft 5 in)101617 with females being slightly smaller than males. Adults can weigh from 5.9 to 12.7 kg (13 to 28 lb), although most will weigh 6.35 to 11.91 kg (14.0 to 26.3 lb).

3111819 On Macquarie Island, three males averaged 8.4 kg (19 lb) and three females averaged 6.2 kg (14 lb). 20 In the Crozet Islands, males averaged 9.44 kg (20.8 lb) while females averaged 7.84 kg (17.3 lb). 12 However, 10 unsexed adults from the Crozets averaged 9.6 kg (21 lb).

21 On South Georgia, 52 males were found to average 9.11 kg (20.1 lb) while 53 females were found to average 7.27 kg (16.0 lb). 22 Immature birds have been recorded weighing as much as 16.1 kg (35 lb) during their first flights (at which time they may still have fat reserves that will be shed as they continue to fly). 11 On South Georgia, fledglings were found to average 10.9 kg (24 lb).

23 Albatrosses from outside the "snowy" wandering albatross group (D. Exulans) are smaller but are now generally deemed to belong to different species. 2224 The plumage varies with age, with the juveniles starting chocolate brown.