The amazing Albatross, sea bird than can go years without landing

The flying ability of the albatross (Phoebastria albatrus) provided the inspiration for designing sophisticated aircraft capable of efficient flight. With its dynamic soaring method of flight, this 3.7-meter wingspan is capable of flying thousands of kilometers without flapping its wings at all. It is not surprising that the albatross has been named an expert in efficient flight. Flight recordings have shown that albatrosses are indeed capable of flying up to 10,000 miles in a single journey and circumnavigate the earth in 46 days. So fully have they adapted to their oceanic existence that they spend the first six or more years of their long lives (which last upwards of 50 years) without ever touching land.

Researchers have tried to analyse how the albatross flies its body significantly. German aerospace engineer Johannes Traugott and his colleagues tried to map out the Albatross-style flight patterns. This bird first flew low on the surface, but suddenly headed towards the wind to reach a higher position. After reaching a height of 15 meters, the albatross circled under the wind. Then glide easily and then start flying high again. All of this is supported by the anatomy of the albatross which allows it to fly very far and high with efficient energy. Albatross has special muscles in each of their shoulders. So that the bird can lock its wings in one position. This anatomical quality is the same as that of the wings on an airplane.

Janine Benyus, President of the Biomimicry Institute, said that albatross can sense small changes in air pressure and wind direction. Biomimicry is a science that places natural objects, especially living things as models of design and processes, imitates them and is applied in modern technology. Some world-famous aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus are using biomimicry for industrial evolution. They applied the flight of this great bird to design and develop models of airplane wings and produce sensors that are more positive about the wind. That way, it makes future air travel more efficient, cleaner, and faster.

The albatross is the largest seabird of the family Diomedeidae. Apart from their broad wings, albatrosses also have a long, sharp beak and a hook-like tip. The nostrils on the beak of albatrosses are not the same as those of most birds, only at the base of the beak and with a pipe-like shape. Their nose shape helps them to measure the speed of the air as they fly. Its function is not much different from the special pipes in fighter aircraft. The nose also functions to catch the smell of food, unlike most birds, which rely on their eyes. Another unique characteristic of albatross is that it can drink seawater. Albatrosses have what is called procellariforms which function to filter salt from water and seafood. The procellariforms of the albatross are located under the eyes. The residue from the salt purification by the albatross is then expelled through its nostrils.

Albatross specific habitat is remote islands in the South to the North Pacific ocean. In an albatross colony, they will make a place called a cave. This cave is located far from the coastline of the main islands. The main islands referred to here are the islands on the world map. In another study, albatrosses can also make their nests on cliffs or on coastal land, which of course is not on the main island.

Albatross diet includes fish, squid, and small shrimp. Usually, they catch their food either by dredging garbage or sand, exploring land, or diving. The food the females get is usually taken to their nests and then given to their young. Albatrosses are rarely found on land except when they are nestling. When the mating season arrives, they will start their mating ritual dance to capture the hearts of the opposite sex. After mating, they will then spawn chicks. Albatrosses do not congregate and mate on the mainland. They will choose land that is very remote and safe from human reach, then they lay their eggs there. Albatrosses can only incubate one egg per chick. Before until after the eggs hatch, the male albatross and female albatross will take turns looking after the young. 3-10 months later (depending on the species), the little albatrosses are able to fly on their own. However, to leave their homeland and return again to mate takes 5-10 years.

Researchers have just discovered that climate change is affecting albatross life. The results of their research show that the number of albatross divorces has increased dramatically, even though albatrosses are known to be loyal. The study, published in the journal Royal Society, looked at 15,500 mating pairs of albatross in the Falkland Islands over 15 years. In human terms, albatross divorce is basically just cheating. This happens when one of the partners is in a relationship with another albatross who already has a partner. Albatrosses also have growth phases just like humans, who try (and sometimes fail) to find the best way to build relationships. However, in the end, when they find a suitable partner, they usually stay together for life. Only 1% of albatrosses separate after choosing their life partner. Climate change is actually testing albatross fidelity. Throughout the duration of the study, the increase in seawater temperature, which makes the water warmer, also increased the albatross divorce rate to 8%. The warmer water makes their hunting time longer and they have to fly farther. With more difficult breeding conditions, and scarcity of food, it can cause more albatross to experience stress and they can be blamed for “deteriorating performance” – which could eventually lead to divorce.

Albatrosses are one of the birds that are targeted for feathers to be used as women’s hats. By the Aleutians and Eskimos, albatrosses are hunted for food. In addition to being hunted, albatrosses are also part of the culture. The image of the albatross in the middle of the medal symbolizes the innocence and beauty of God’s creation. There is also an albatross in an ancient parable which reads “An albatross around his neck”. In a literal sense, the parable is directed at sailors who dare to kill an albatross and must be punished. Getting a lot of attention like the one above puts the albatross under stress both directly and indirectly. Of the 21 species of albatross on the IUCN Red List, 19 of them are in protected status and 2 of them are endangered.

Some of the natural enemies of albatrosses are mice, cats, and humans. Rats and cats are the main predators of albatross chicks. They usually attack the eggs or bite the young albatross alive. Meanwhile, humans contributed to the near extinction of this species with waste, especially plastic waste. If you often see on the internet about birds that die eating bottle caps, that bird is an albatross. Their digestion is not designed to devour plastic. But fortunately, researchers from BirdLife International in collaboration with the government and fishermen managed to reduce the problems faced by albatrosses, especially regarding waste.

“Albatrosses are birds that fly effortlessly. They ride the ocean winds as if they were part of their own inner world.”
Ted Hughes