The Largest Bird Wingspan

The wandering albatross is the ultimate ocean glider. In 1965, scientists aboard a research ship called the USNS Eltanin caught a massive male bird over the Tasman Sea. When they carefully measured his wings from tip to tip, they stretched a mind-boggling 3.63 meters across!

With wings that incredibly long, flapping is way too much work. Instead, the albatross simply locks its wing joints into place and uses the fierce ocean winds like a giant living kite, effortlessly soaring above the wild waves.

These majestic birds spend almost their entire lives in the air near Antarctica, only landing to breed. They are such perfect gliders that they even sleep while flying, easily traveling up to 6,000 miles in a single journey.

How Is That Even Possible?

The secret is in their special anatomy. An albatross can literally lock its wing joints in place, meaning it doesn't have to use active muscle power to hold its wings outstretched. By riding the powerful wind currents bouncing off ocean waves, it can glide effortlessly without wasting any energy.