Vintage albatross bird drawing from 1911. This aquatic bird is the largest and strongest of all of the sea birds. It weighs between 15 and 25 pounds and has a wingspan that can stretch 10 to 12 feet with some birds having an impressive 17 feet wingspan. They are typically found in the Antarctic Ocean and the northern Pacific Ocean. There are 22 different species of albatross. Unfortunately, all are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature concerned species list.
The encyclopedia mentioned that sailors would often capture the birds to use their long wing-bones for tobacco-pipe stems. They were hunted for food, sport and for their feathers. Introduced species, such as rats and feral cats, have also threatened the survival of these large birds.
This image is copyright free and in the public domain anywhere that extends copyrights 70 years after death or at least 120 years after publication when the original illustrator is unknown.
