nsTeam1RO, nsTeam1RW, nsTeam1_talkRO, nsTeam1_talkRW
6,302
edits
Changes
added waved albatross
==Types of albatross==
==Types of albatross==
Scientists disagree about how many species of abatross exist; between thirtenn and twenty-four have been proposed. however, some species have become well known, including the [[Wandering Albatross]], sometimes said to have the longest wingspan of any bird - up to twelve feet.
Scientists disagree about how many species of abatross exist; between thirtenn and twenty-four have been proposed. however, some species have become well known, including the [[wandering albatross]], sometimes said to have the longest wingspan of any bird - up to twelve feet.
Six species of albatross are known in american waters:
Six species of albatross are known in american waters:
* [[Short-tailed Albatross]] - breeds off [[Japan]]; now down to about 1,000 individuals. it can be seen off the [[Pacific]] coast
* [[Short-tailed albatross]] - breeds off [[Japan]]; now down to about 1,000 individuals. it can be seen off the [[Pacific]] coast
* [[Shy Albatross]] - can be seen from [[Washington state]] to [[California]].
* [[Shy albatross]] - can be seen from [[Washington state]] to [[California]].
* [[Laysan Albatross]] - breeds in [[hawaii]], but also seen off the western mainland.
* [[Laysan albatross]] - breeds in [[hawaii]], but also seen off the western mainland.
* [[Black-footed Albatross]] -also breeds in hawaii, but can be seen every year off the western mainland.
* [[Black-footed albatross]] -also breeds in hawaii, but can be seen every year off the western mainland.
* [[Yellow-nosed Albatross]] - a rare visitor to the [[atlantic]] and [[Gulf of Mexico|Gulf]] coast, probably from nesting sites in [[Tristan da Cunha]] island.
* [[Yellow-nosed albatross]] - a rare visitor to the [[atlantic]] and [[Gulf of Mexico|Gulf]] coast, probably from nesting sites in [[Tristan da Cunha]] island.
* [[Black-browed Albatross]] - a very rare visitor to American waters, but has been seen in [[Europe]]an waters several times.
* [[Black-browed albatross]] - a very rare visitor to American waters, but has been seen in [[Europe]]an waters several times.
[[Image:Waved_albatross.jpg|150px|thumb|right!Waved albatross]]The [[waved albatross|waved]] or Galapagos albatross is the only member of the family native to the tropics. It breeds exclusively on Espanola Island.
==Albatrosses in legend==
==Albatrosses in legend==
The albatross is well-known for its role in [[superstition]]. Albatrosses often follow ships, and wre believed to be the souls of drowned sailors. it was considered to be bad luck to kill one. In [[Samuel Taylor Coleridge]]'s epic poem ''[[The Rime of the Ancient Mariner]]'', the mariner of the title tells a tale of the grim consequences of killing one of the birds.
The albatross is well-known for its role in [[superstition]]. Albatrosses often follow ships, and wre believed to be the souls of drowned sailors. it was considered to be bad luck to kill one. In [[Samuel Taylor Coleridge]]'s epic poem ''[[The Rime of the Ancient Mariner]]'', the mariner of the title tells a tale of the grim consequences of killing one of the birds.
==Sources==
==Sources==
* ''The National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America'' (National Geographic Society 2002)
* ''The National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America'' (National Geographic Society 2002)
* [http://www.kcc.org.nz/birds/albatross.asp Albatross facts]
* [http://www.kcc.org.nz/birds/albatross.asp Albatross facts]