In brief
In a stunning display of longevity and nurturing, Wisdom, the world’s oldest wild bird, has laid an egg at the remarkable age of 74, as confirmed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The Laysan albatross was spotted at the Midway Atoll national wildlife refuge in the Pacific Ocean, tending to her egg with a new mate after having previously paired with Akeakamai, who has been missing for several years.
Wisdom was tagged by biologists in 1956 when she was estimated to be about five years old. Typically, Laysan albatrosses live between 12 to 40 years, making Wisdom’s life span extraordinary. Over her lifetime, she has raised more than 30 chicks, with her last successful offspring hatching in 2021.According to Jon Plissner, a supervisory wildlife biologist at the refuge, Wisdom is among a population of two to three million Laysan albatrosses that return to Midway to breed. The albatross species generally forms lifelong partnerships, yet Wisdom has outlived at least three mates. Plissner expressed that there are no recorded cases of any other birds being as old as Wisdom, the oldest recorded living bird being just 45 years.With a 70-80% chance of her egg hatching, the USFWS reported that both parents will take turns incubating. Wisdom’s story has captivated audiences around the globe, showcasing the resilience of this remarkable bird. Midway Atoll itself is an unincorporated territory of the US and is renowned for housing the world's largest albatross colony.
