SciFocus/Dec 8, 2024 — In an extraordinary display of resilience and vitality, Wisdom, a Laysan albatross and the world’s oldest-known wild bird, has laid an egg at the age of 74. US Fish and Wildlife Service experts estimate this could be her 60th egg, marking her first in four years at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii.
“We are optimistic that the egg will hatch,” said Jonathan Plissner, supervisory wildlife biologist at Midway Atoll. “Wisdom’s story is a testament to the enduring strength of these remarkable seabirds.”
Highlights:
- Wisdom, first banded in 1956, has raised as many as 30 chicks throughout her life.
- The typical lifespan of a Laysan albatross is 68 years, yet Wisdom has surpassed expectations.
- Laysan albatrosses typically mate for life, but Wisdom’s long-term mate, Akeakamai, hasn’t been seen in recent years. She’s now interacting with a new partner.
- These seabirds incubate eggs for about seven months, with chicks taking flight 5–6 months post-hatching.
- Wisdom’s nesting site, Midway Atoll, hosts millions of seabirds annually, contributing to essential conservation efforts.
Wisdom’s remarkable longevity and reproductive success highlight both the wonders of nature and the importance of protecting fragile wildlife habitats. 🌊🕊️
Source: https://x.com/USFWSPacific/status/1863990726281064865
