In late November, the world’s oldest bird, Wisdom, returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge for nesting season. At around 72 years old and recognized by her band number Z333, Wisdom has been laying eggs and raising chicks for decades. Despite the absence of her long-time mate, Akeakamai, Wisdom has been actively courting other male birds in a mating dance.
According to Jonathan Plissner, a supervisory wildlife biologist at the national wildlife refuge, Laysan albatross females typically lay a single egg in the first half of December. Despite her age, Wisdom was described as being quite spry and actively courting other birds. Throughout her lifetime, it is estimated that Wisdom has produced 50-60 eggs and as many as 30 chicks that have successfully fledged.
Biologists first identified and banded Wisdom in 1956 after she laid an egg and are aware that Laysan albatrosses do not typically breed before the age of 5. Alongside Wisdom, millions of seabirds return to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in the North Pacific Ocean to nest and raise their young. This update on the record-breaking bird has been shared on social media, highlighting Wisdom’s remarkable story.