Head to head
Amsterdam Albatross vs Wandering Albatross
Amsterdam Albatross
VS Wandering Albatross
Both are great albatrosses of the Diomedea genus, but one is a recently described, critically rare species while the other is a long-recognised record holder.
| Amsterdam Albatross | Wandering Albatross | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Diomedea amsterdamensis | Diomedea exulans |
| Population | Around 170 birds total | Around 20,000 mature birds |
| Breeding range | A single plateau on one island | Scattered sub-Antarctic islands |
| Wingspan | Large, though not record-setting | The largest wingspan of any living bird |
| Recognition history | Not formally described until 1983 | Long recognised as its own species |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered | Vulnerable |
| Population trend | Increasing slowly | Decreasing |
| Habitat | Ocean | Ocean, coastal |
Amsterdam Albatross vs Wandering Albatross: common questions
Which one has the smaller total population?
The Amsterdam albatross has the far smaller population, at only around 170 birds total, compared with the wandering albatross's roughly 20,000 mature birds.
Which one has the larger wingspan?
The wandering albatross has the larger wingspan, holding the record for the largest wingspan of any living bird at up to 3.5 metres, exceeding the Amsterdam albatross's still-large but non-record-setting span.
Which one was recognised as a species more recently?
The Amsterdam albatross was recognised more recently, not formally described as its own species until 1983, while the wandering albatross has long been established as a distinct species.