Head to head
Antipodean Albatross vs Wandering Albatross
Antipodean Albatross
VS Wandering Albatross
These two great albatrosses were once considered the same species, and while closely related, they now face different conservation pressures.
| Antipodean Albatross | Wandering Albatross | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Diomedea antipodensis | Diomedea exulans |
| Species history | Split from the wandering albatross | The original, larger parent species |
| Wingspan | Smaller than the wandering albatross | Up to 3.5 metres, the largest of any living bird |
| Decline pattern | Sharp decline concentrated among females | General decline from fishing bycatch |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Vulnerable |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Decreasing |
| Breeding range | Antipodes and Auckland Islands | South Georgia, Crozet, Kerguelen, Prince Edward Island |
| Habitat | Ocean | Ocean, coastal |
Antipodean Albatross vs Wandering Albatross: common questions
Which one has the larger wingspan?
The wandering albatross has the larger wingspan, reaching up to 3.5 metres and holding the record for the largest wingspan of any living bird, bigger than the closely related Antipodean albatross.
Which one has a decline concentrated in one sex?
The Antipodean albatross shows this pattern, with females declining far faster than males because they forage in subtropical waters that overlap heavily with longline tuna fishing fleets.
Which one is more at risk of extinction?
The Antipodean albatross is at greater risk, classified as Endangered, compared with the wandering albatross, which is classified as Vulnerable despite also facing significant fishing bycatch.