Albatross Fun for Kids

Albatrosses are amazing birds that glide across the ocean skies with their giant wings. These seabirds can fly for hours without flapping their wings and love soaring over waves far from land. Albatrosses are known for their super long wings and their special connection to the sea. Let’s learn more about these awesome A animal ocean travelers!

Watch an Albatross in Action!

Albatrosses are incredible fliers and love gliding over the ocean. Watch this cool video to see how they soar with ease!

What is an Albatross?

An albatross is a large seabird that spends most of its life flying over the ocean. These birds are built for long-distance flying and can travel thousands of miles without landing.

• Albatrosses are birds that live mostly at sea
• They have long, narrow wings for gliding over water
• They can live for over 50 years

Where do Albatrosses live?

Albatrosses live in the Southern Ocean and parts of the Pacific Ocean. They nest on remote islands and spend most of their time flying over the sea.

• They are found near Antarctica, Australia, South America, and South Africa
• They nest on windy, grassy islands far from people
• Albatrosses love cool, ocean air and wide open skies

What do Albatrosses eat?

Albatrosses are seabirds that eat food they find on or near the ocean surface.

• They eat squid, fish, and krill
• Sometimes they follow ships to grab scraps
• They can dive into the water to catch food

How big is an Albatross?

Albatrosses are some of the biggest flying birds in the world!

• They have wings as wide as a car is long — up to 11 feet (3.4 meters)
• They weigh about the same as a small house cat — 17 to 22 pounds (7.7 to 10 kg)

What sound do Albatrosses make?

Albatrosses make funny clacking, whistling, and grunting sounds when they talk to each other. They also make loud calls during their dances.

Cool Albatross facts

Here are some fun and amazing facts about albatrosses that kids love!

• They can sleep while flying!
• Albatrosses can fly thousands of miles without stopping
• They do a special dance to find a mate
• Some albatrosses have been tracked flying around the world
• They use their noses to smell food far away
• They can glide for hours without flapping their wings
• Albatross parents take turns feeding their baby
• Some baby albatrosses take a year to learn to fly

Printables and coloring fun

Enjoy some creative fun with your favorite albatross! Print or color online.

• Download Albatross Coloring Page (PDF)

Albatrosses in the eco-system

Albatrosses are important ocean birds that help keep the sea healthy. They eat ocean animals and are food for other big sea creatures.

• They help balance the ocean food chain
• They are part of the life cycle of sea animals
• There are fewer albatrosses today because of pollution and fishing nets
• Some types of albatrosses are endangered and need our help

Ask a grown-up to help you learn more

Want to explore more about albatrosses? Ask a grown-up to visit these websites with you!

• National Geographic – Albatross Facts
• Audubon Field Guide – Laysan Albatross
• BBC Wildlife – Albatross

Fun questions about Albatrosses

Ways to donate and support Albatrosses

Albatrosses need clean oceans and safe nesting places. You can help protect them by supporting groups that care for sea birds and reduce plastic waste.

BirdLife – Keep Albatrosses Off the Hook