Waved Albatross [Phoebastria irrorata]
Description
The Waved Albatross, also known as the Galapagos Albatross, is the only member of the genus Phoebastria found in the tropics. When foraging, the Waved Albatross follows straight paths to a single site off the coast of Peru, about 1,000 km (620 mi) distant to the east. During the non-breeding season, these birds reside primarily in the areas of the Ecuador and Peruvian coasts. Waved Albatrosses are a type of seabird that have a very distinctive yellowish-cream neck and head, which contrasts with their mostly brownish bodies. They can have a wingspan up to 2.5 meters and spend most of their life in flight, covering thousands of kilometers.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Birds
Aves
|
| Order |
Albatrosses, Petrels, and Shearwaters
Procellariiformes
|
| Family |
Albatrosses
Diomedeidae
|
| Genus |
Waved Albatross
Phoebastria
|