Wisdom, a 74-year-old Laysan albatross, surprisingly laid an egg for the first time in four years after finding a new mate. The bird returned last week to Hawaii’s Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, where it was spotted with its recent companion.
SHE DID IT AGAIN!
Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, is back with a new partner and just laid yet another egg.
At an approximate age of 74, the queen of seabirds returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge last week and began interacting with a male.
— USFWS Pacific (@USFWSPacific)
Wisdom, identified in 1956 at about five years old, is a rare example of longevity. Although most albatrosses live between 12 and 40 years and mate for life, their trajectory includes the loss of at least three mates, including Akeakamai, who has not been seen for several years.
With over 30 lifetime puppies, the last in 2021, Wisdom continues to defy the odds. Jon Plissner, a biologist at the refuge, revealed that, among the two to three million albatrosses that arrive at Midway for breeding, no other comes close to his age — the closest is 45 years old.
The chances of the egg hatching are around 70 to 80%, but regardless of the outcome, Wisdom is a symbol of resilience and adaptation.
