In brief
Wisdom, the world's oldest known wild bird at approximately 74, has laid an egg at Midway Atoll, continuing her remarkable life story despite her species' average lifespan of just 12-40 years.
The legendary Laysan albatross, acknowledged as the oldest wild bird on the planet, has astonished biologists once again by laying an egg at the remarkable age of 74. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has confirmed this exciting event at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in the Pacific Ocean. Wisdom, who has been closely monitored since being tagged in 1956, is accompanied by a new partner, as her previous mate Akeakamai has not been seen for several years.Typically, Laysan albatrosses mate for life, but Wisdom's longevity is extraordinary; she is thought to have outlived at least three partners throughout her lifetime. This prolific bird has successfully raised over 30 chicks and even welcomed her last hatchling in 2021. Jon Plissner, a supervisory wildlife biologist at the refuge, noted that Wisdom is one of two to three million Laysan albatrosses that gather at Midway to breed each year.Despite the rarity of birds living past 45 years, Wisdom continues to defy the odds, capturing the hearts of people worldwide. "We wait each year with bated breath for her return," Plissner remarked on BBC Radio 4's Today program. He expressed hope, stating there is a promising 70-80% probability that her latest egg will hatch, as both parents share responsibilities during incubation and later feed the chick once it arrives.Wisdom was first spotted as a young parent in 1956 and, remarkably, lays her eggs only at an average age of five. Midway Atoll, which is part of the Hawaiian archipelago but classified as an unincorporated territory of the U.S., hosts the largest colony of albatrosses globally, making this sanctuary a vital habitat for these majestic birds.
