The world’s oldest known wild bird, a Laysan albatross named Wisdom, has laid an egg at the remarkable age of about 74, marking her first egg in four years, according to U.S. wildlife officials.
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Wisdom’s Legacy
Wisdom returned to her long-time nesting ground at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, located at the northwestern edge of the Hawaiian Archipelago, to lay what experts estimate could be her 60th egg. This milestone was announced by the Pacific Region of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in a recent Facebook post.
First banded as an adult in 1956, Wisdom has successfully raised around 30 chicks during her lifetime, according to Jonathan Plissner, supervisory wildlife biologist at Midway Atoll.
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Nesting Behavior
Wisdom and her previous mate, Akeakamai, had consistently returned to Midway Atoll since 2006 to lay and hatch eggs. Laysan albatrosses are known for their lifelong pair bonds, laying one egg per year. However, Akeakamai has not been seen for several years.
When Wisdom returned last week, she was observed interacting with a new male. Officials remain hopeful for the success of her latest egg. “We are optimistic that the egg will hatch,” Plissner said in a statement.
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Albatross Life Cycle
Laysan albatross parents alternate incubation duties for approximately seven months. Once hatched, chicks stay on land for five to six months before taking flight and heading out to sea.
These seabirds spend most of their lives gliding over the ocean, feeding on squid and fish eggs.
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Exceptional Longevity
Laysan albatrosses typically have a lifespan of up to 68 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Wisdom’s extraordinary longevity has made her a symbol of resilience and a marvel of the natural world.
Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, is home to millions of nesting seabirds each year, making it one of the most significant wildlife refuges in the Pacific. Wisdom’s continued contributions highlight the importance of preserving these ecosystems for future generations.
