For nearly 70 years, Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, has been returning to the Midway Atoll near Hawaii.
Every winter, this small island becomes home to thousands of seabirds nesting, but Wisdom has a story like no other.
At 74 years old, she continues to defy the odds by laying eggs and raising chicks. Scientists say she is not just remarkable — she is a living legend.
Wisdom was first banded in 1956 by researchers, who estimated that she was at least five years old at the time. Since then, she has become the world’s oldest known wild bird, according to WP.
This year, she made headlines again after being seen with a new mate and successfully laying another egg.
A Lifetime of Motherhood
Albatrosses are known for their loyalty to one mate, often partnering for life. Wisdom spent nearly six decades with her long-term partner, Akeakamai.
Together, they raised dozens of chicks. However, Akeakamai has not been seen since 2020, and scientists believe he has passed away.
Despite this loss, Wisdom has continued to thrive. She has been observed courting new males, a behavior not uncommon for albatrosses that lose their mates.
Recently, she and her new partner were seen sharing the responsibility of incubating her most recent egg.
Researchers at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service estimate that Wisdom has laid between 50 and 60 eggs throughout her life. “Wisdom is exceptional.
There are no other birds even close to her age,” said biologist Jon Plissner. “The next oldest albatross we know of is about 45 years old.”
A Waiting Game on Midway
Albatrosses typically lay one egg each year, usually in December. The incubation period lasts 64-65 days, and the chicks hatch in January or February.
On Midway Atoll, where the survival rate for albatross chicks is around 50 percent, scientists remain hopeful. Wisdom has proven time and again that age is no barrier to motherhood.
Wisdom’s story is a testament to resilience. Most small birds live just a few years, but seabirds like albatrosses can live for decades.
Even so, Wisdom stands alone. Her ability to survive predators, storms, and changing environments is extraordinary.
