Head to head
Grey-headed Albatross vs Wandering Albatross
Grey-headed Albatross
VS Wandering Albatross
Both albatrosses cover enormous distances across the Southern Ocean, but they achieve it through very different combinations of speed and size.
| Grey-headed Albatross | Wandering Albatross | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Thalassarche chrysostoma | Diomedea exulans |
| Size | A smaller mollymawk species | The largest wingspan of any living bird, up to 3.5 m |
| Distinguishing feature | A dark grey head and yellow-ridged bill | Long, narrow wings built for dynamic soaring |
| Notable record | Circled the Southern Ocean in as little as 46 days | Can cover 1,000 km in a day |
| Breeding frequency | Only every second year | Only every second year |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Vulnerable |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Decreasing |
| Habitat | Ocean, polar | Ocean, coastal |
Grey-headed Albatross vs Wandering Albatross: common questions
Which one has the larger wingspan?
The wandering albatross has the far larger wingspan, reaching up to 3.5 metres and holding the record for the largest wingspan of any living bird, well beyond the grey-headed albatross's smaller mollymawk build.
Which one has a more urgent conservation status?
The grey-headed albatross faces the more urgent classification, listed as Endangered, while the wandering albatross is classified as Vulnerable, both declining due largely to longline fishing mortality.
Do both breed only every second year?
Yes, both species typically breed only every second year, since raising a single chick to independence takes considerably longer than a full year for either albatross.