What latitude bands define the strong westerly winds utilized by the Wandering Albatross for gliding?
Answer
The Roaring Forties and Furious Fifties latitudes
Outside of its breeding obligations, the Wandering Albatross maximizes its efficiency as a pelagic wanderer by exploiting powerful, consistent wind patterns prevalent in the far south. Specifically, these birds rely heavily on the strong westerly winds found between roughly $40^ ext{o}$ and $60^ ext{o}$ south latitude. These zones are formally known as the Roaring Forties and the Furious Fifties. By masterfully employing gliding and dynamic soaring within these high-wind bands, the albatross can cover immense geographical distances across the Southern Ocean while expending very little energy.
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