In brief
The US Fish and Wildlife Service reports that Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, has laid an egg at the age of 74. A Laysan albatross tagged in 1956, she has previously raised over 30 chicks and continues to intrigue biologists and bird enthusiasts.
The world's oldest known wild bird, Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, has recently laid an egg at the impressive age of 74, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Filmed at the Midway Atoll national wildlife refuge in the Pacific Ocean, Wisdom was observed with her latest partner as they tended to the newly laid egg.Wisdom was first tagged in 1956 when she was estimated to be around five years old. While most members of her species typically live for only 12 to 40 years, Wisdom has outlived expectations, having successfully raised more than 30 chicks throughout her life, with her last offspring hatching in 2021. This year, the USFWS noted that her previous mate, Akeakamai, had not been sighted for several years, leading to her pairing with a new partner. Even though Laysan albatrosses usually form lifelong bonds, it is believed that Wisdom has outlived at least three mates.Jon Plissner, a supervisory wildlife biologist at the refuge, shared insights on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, stating that Wisdom represents one of two to three million Laysan albatrosses that congregate at Midway to breed. He highlighted that there are no known birds that come close to Wisdom's age, the next oldest being around 45 years. Plissner expressed admiration for Wisdom's resilience, saying, "Wisdom seems to pique the interest of people across the world. We wait each year with bated breath for her return."In terms of the egg's chances of hatching, Plissner estimated it to be between 70 to 80%, noting that albatross parents share both incubation and feeding responsibilities once a chick is born. Wisdom's initial tagging followed her laying an egg, and it’s worth noting that Laysan albatrosses generally do not breed until they reach the age of five.Midway Atoll, part of the Hawaiian archipelago, is recognized as an unincorporated territory of the US and hosts the world's largest colony of albatrosses, making it a crucial habitat for these remarkable birds.
