Stronger winds over the Southern Ocean, thought
to be the result of warmer air, have
enabled the Wandering Albatross to fly faster
than ever and reach prey with less effort.
It has enabled them to spend less time foraging
for food, helped them grow larger and
boosted their chances of breeding successfully,
according to a study by biologists in France.
Already the world’s largest flying bird with a
wingspan averaging about 10ft, they have
boosted their body weights by around 10 per cent
in recent decades. They can fly at speeds of
more than 80mph.
But scientists warned that the turnaround in the
albatross’s fortunes could be short-lived
if, as feared, wind patterns continue shifting.
The findings, published in the journal Science,
were based on analysis of more than two
decades of data since the birds were first
fitted with satellite transmitters to track
their movements.