Tristan albatross

A magnificent seabird that spends almost its entire life gliding over the wild, windswept waters of the South Atlantic

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Tristan albatross

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A magnificent seabird that spends almost its entire life gliding over the wild, windswept waters of the South Atlantic

Population 5,200 – 7,300
80-100% decline over three generations

With its vast wingspan, haunting call, and almost mythic rarity, it symbolizes oceanic majesty and a sobering reminder of the fragility of the world’s great seabirds. Endemic to the Tristan da Cunha archipelago, a remote cluster of volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, this bird is a close relative of the Wandering Albatross and one of the largest flying birds on Earth. Its endurance, grace, and tragic struggle for survival make it one of nature’s most awe-inspiring yet endangered creatures.

Physically, the Tristan Albatross is immense and elegant. Its massive wingspan allows it to soar effortlessly for hours, even days, without flapping, riding the ocean’s winds with mesmerizing precision. Its plumage is mostly white, with dark upper wings and back, and a pale pink bill tipped with a small dark hook. Adults have a noble, almost serene expression, with eyes that seem to reflect the endless horizons they call home. Males and females are similar in appearance, though males are slightly larger. Like all great albatrosses, they are built for endurance and efficiency, using dynamic soaring to travel thousands of kilometers across open ocean in search of food.

These birds spend most of their lives at sea, returning to land only once every two years to breed. They feed mainly on squid, fish, and crustaceans, which they capture from the surface of the water, often at night. Their range extends across much of the South Atlantic, from the coast of South America to southern Africa, though the heart of their existence remains centered on Gough Island, part of the Tristan da Cunha group and one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth. There, they nest on the island’s windswept highlands—an otherworldly landscape of mosses and mist, where the cries of seabirds echo across volcanic slopes.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Angola
2018
Non-Breeding
Argentina
2018
Non-Breeding
Brazil
2018
Non-Breeding
Namibia
2018
Non-Breeding
Saint Helena
2018
Breeding: Tristan Da Cunha
South Africa
2018
Non-Breeding
Uruguay
2018
Non-Breeding

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Colony

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No