In brief
The world's oldest known wild bird, Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, has laid an egg at around 74 years of age, delighting biologists and the public alike. This remarkable event took place at the Midway Atoll national wildlife refuge, where Wisdom continues to defy age expectations for her species.
The world's oldest known wild bird has astounded biologists and birdwatchers by laying an egg at the remarkable age of approximately 74. Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, was recently filmed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at the Midway Atoll national wildlife refuge in the Pacific Ocean, where she was seen with her new partner taking care of the egg.Typically, Laysan albatrosses live between 12 to 40 years, but Wisdom was tagged in 1956 when she was about five years old. Over her lifetime, she has successfully raised more than 30 chicks, with her last offspring hatching in 2021. The USFWS shared her story, revealing that Wisdom has partnered with a new mate since her previous partner, Akeakamai, has not been observed for several years. While albatrosses are known to mate for life, Wisdom's age means she's outlived at least three of her partners.Jon Plissner, a supervisory wildlife biologist at the refuge, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Wisdom remains one of two to three million Laysan albatrosses that migrate to Midway to breed each year. He noted that there are no known birds nearing her age, with the oldest being 45. "It’s really been remarkable,” Plissner stated, emphasizing the global interest in Wisdom's incredible journey. Each year, bird enthusiasts await her return with excitement.According to Plissner, Wisdom still retains the energy and instincts necessary for raising another chick, with a strong 70-80% chance of the egg hatching successfully. In their nurturing roles, albatross parents share the duties of incubation and feeding once the chick arrives.Wisdom was first identified in 1956 after laying an egg, a significant moment considering that Laysan albatrosses usually don’t breed until they are five years old. The Midway Atoll, which is part of the Hawaiian archipelago and classified as an unincorporated US territory, boasts the world’s largest colony of albatrosses, solidifying its status as a vital habitat for these extraordinary birds.
