Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, has laid an egg at the remarkable age of 74, marking her first in four years. A Laysan albatross, Wisdom returned to the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, located in the Hawaiian Archipelago, where she is believed to have laid her 60th egg, according to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service officials. The long-lived seabird’s return to the refuge was celebrated by wildlife enthusiasts, with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service sharing the news on social media.
Wisdom, who has been a fixture in the atoll since 2006, is known for her long-term mating bond with her partner, Akeakamai. However, since Akeakamai has not been seen for several years, Wisdom has begun interacting with another male. Despite her age, Wisdom’s ability to return and lay an egg has amazed researchers, who are optimistic that the egg will hatch successfully. The typical lifespan of a Laysan albatross is 68 years, but Wisdom has far surpassed that, having been banded as an adult in 1956 and raising as many as 30 chicks throughout her life.
Laysan albatrosses, known for mating for life, typically lay one egg each year. Both parents take turns incubating the egg for about two months. After hatching, chicks spend about five to six months before taking their first flight, journeying over the ocean to feed on squid and fish eggs. The news of Wisdom’s egg has sparked excitement, with many expressing admiration for the bird’s resilience and long life, with some calling her a “heroine” and a “grand dame” of Midway.
