At 74 years old, the world’s oldest known wild bird lays her first egg in four years

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The world’s oldest known wild bird, Wisdom, a 74-year-old Laysan albatross, has laid her first egg in four years in Hawaii. Wisdom returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in the Pacific Ocean and began interacting with a new male partner. Each year, millions of Laysan albatross return to the refuge to nest and raise their young, with Wisdom having been doing so since the Eisenhower administration. Her longtime partner, Akeakamai, has not been seen for many years, and she is now with a new male partner who appears to be getting along well with her. The new partner has been given a leg tag for future monitoring. He is currently incubating the egg, and Wisdom is expected to relieve him in about three weeks. Officials estimate that Wisdom has produced 50 to 60 eggs in her lifetime and has mothered around 30 chicks. She was first identified in 1956 and banded with the number Z333. The typical lifespan of a Laysan albatross is 68 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Wildlife officials are optimistic that Wisdom’s egg will hatch, and she still seems to have the energy and instincts to raise another chick, bringing joy and hope for the continuation of her legacy.

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