-
16:20
-
16:00
-
15:40
-
15:20
-
15:00
-
14:40
-
14:20
-
14:00
-
13:30
-
13:00
-
12:30
-
12:00
-
11:30
-
11:00
-
10:40
-
10:20
-
10:00
-
09:40
-
09:20
-
09:00
-
08:40
-
08:20
-
08:00
-
07:30
-
07:00
The Remarkable Wisdom A 74-Year-Old Laysan Albatross Lays an Egg in Hawaii
The world’s oldest known wild bird, a Laysan albatross named Wisdom, has made an extraordinary return to the skies of Hawaii at the remarkable age of 74. This year, she laid an egg, her first in four years, sparking both wonder and hope among wildlife experts.
Wisdom’s journey is an inspiring one, beginning when she was first banded as an adult in 1956. Since then, she has raised as many as 30 chicks and has been a testament to the resilience and longevity of wild birds. This time, Wisdom returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, located at the northwestern edge of the Hawaiian Archipelago, where she and her mate Akeakamai have been returning for years to lay and hatch eggs. Laysan albatrosses are known for their lifelong monogamous bonds and their habit of laying one egg each year. However, Akeakamai has not been seen for several years, and Wisdom has recently begun to interact with another male, officials confirmed.
While Wisdom’s egg is estimated to be her 60th, it has been four years since she last laid one, making this event particularly significant. Jonathan Plissner, supervisory wildlife biologist at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, expressed optimism about the egg's potential, stating, “We are optimistic that the egg will hatch.” Albatrosses are dedicated parents, with both partners taking turns incubating their egg for around seven months. After hatching, chicks will spend about five to six months on the refuge before heading out to sea, where they will spend the majority of their lives flying over vast oceans, feeding on squid and fish eggs.
The lifespan of a Laysan albatross typically ranges up to 68 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, making Wisdom’s achievement even more remarkable. Her continued survival and role as a mother are a testament to the resilience of these magnificent seabirds, who face numerous challenges in their long lives.
Every year, millions of seabirds return to the Midway Atoll to nest and raise their young. With Wisdom’s egg, the hope for the future of albatrosses remains strong, reminding us of the importance of protecting these incredible creatures and their habitats for generations to come.
