Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, continues to amaze with her resilience and longevity. At 74 years old, the Laysan albatross recently laid an egg at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in the Pacific Ocean, a remarkable accomplishment that highlights her tenacity.
Wisdom was first identified and banded in 1956 by biologist Chandler Robbins after laying an egg on the atoll, located at the northwestern edge of the Hawaiian Archipelago.
“Of the more than 250,000 birds banded since Chandler Robbins banded Wisdom in 1956, the next oldest bird we know about is just 52 years old,” said Jon Plissner, supervisory wildlife biologist at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in an interview with NPR.
Since then, Wisdom has returned annually to the Midway Atoll to nest, surviving numerous challenges. She withstood a devastating tsunami in 2011 and navigated threats like fishing gear and plastic debris. In her lifetime, she is estimated to have flown over 3 million miles—equivalent to traveling to the moon and back six times.
Laysan albatrosses, or mōlī in Hawaiian, typically mate for life. However, after the loss of her longtime mate, Akeakamai, Wisdom adapted by courting other males at Midway Atoll. This year, she was seen interacting with potential mates, though the age of her new partner is unknown.
“We don’t know her mate’s age, as he was unbanded before this week,” Plissner explained, noting that it’s challenging to determine an albatross’s age without early banding due to their consistent plumage.
Over her lifetime, Wisdom has laid 50 to 60 eggs and successfully raised 30 chicks to the fledgling stage. Despite the increasing challenges to seabirds, such as predators, habitat changes, and climate change, Wisdom has persevered.
Plissner highlighted the impact of climate change, including rising sea levels and stronger storms, leading to the loss of breeding habitats. Yet, Wisdom has managed to survive these threats for more than 70 years.
Her enduring spirit and adaptability continue to inspire, embodying resilience in an ever-changing world.
