World’s oldest bird lays an egg

By Dean Murray

The world’s oldest bird has laid an egg - at 74 years old.

Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, or mōlī in Hawaiian, returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge at the northwestern edge of the Hawaiian Archipelago last week and immediately began interacting with a male.

Like others of her species, Wisdom returns to the same nesting site each year to reunite with her mate and if able, lay one egg.

For decades she did this with the same partner, Akeakamai, but that bird has not been seen for several years, causing Wisdom to begin courtship dances with other males.

Jonathan Plissner, supervisory wildlife biologist at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, called Wisdom’s first egg in four years “a special joy” and said recent activity seems to indicate she still has the energy and instincts for raising another chick.

“We are optimistic that the egg will hatch,” wrote Plissner from the remote refuge, noting that her new mate seems to be quite content on the nest during his long incubation shift.

It is estimated that Wisdom has produced 50-60 eggs and as many as 30 chicks that fledged in her lifetime, according to Plissner.

Biologists first identified and banded Wisdom in 1956 after she laid an egg, and the large seabirds aren’t known to breed before age 5.

The ageless Wisdom can be seen in these photos and videos with her well-known band number Z333. Her new mate was banded for future identification.

Each year, millions of seabirds return to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in the Pacific Ocean to nest and raise their young.