Wisdom, the world’s oldest known bird, has returned to the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Wildlife officials stated on Twitter that the Laysan albatross is at least 71 years old. The enormous seabird, which was discovered on Thanksgiving, has returned to the same North Pacific nest site for decades.
“Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, recently returned to Midway Atoll! The beloved Laysan albatross, or moli, is at least 71 years old. 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” USFWS said on Twitter.
Take look Wisdom, world’s oldest wild bird
Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, recently returned to Midway Atoll!
The beloved Laysan albatross, or mōlī, is at least 71 years old. 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. pic.twitter.com/PAWgzFaqv6
— USFWS Pacific (@USFWSPacific) December 8, 2022
The agency stated in the following tweet that researchers initially identified and banded Wisdom in 1956 after she deposited an egg. She has laid 50-60 eggs and raised approximately 30 chicks throughout her lifetime. According to Huffington Post, scientists discovered last year that she had become a grandma after one of her children was witnessed helping rear its own chick.
However, Wisdom’s long-time partner, Akeakamai, has not been sighted at the wildlife refuge this year, according to the USFWS. Wisdom’s most recent chick hatched in early 2021 when she was at least 70 years old.
The ageless Wisdom, with her well-known band number of Z333, was first spotted this nesting season on Thanksgiving Day.
Her long-time mate has yet to be seen and was absent last nesting season, too. Males typically return to the breeding site first. pic.twitter.com/C0jmpDEld5
— USFWS Pacific (@USFWSPacific) December 8, 2022
Meanwhile, the news of Wisdom’s comeback this year was welcomed with jubilation and admiration on Twitter. “Wisdom may be the single most impressive organism on Earth,” one person said. “This specific individual bird is older than my parents, and approximately 4% of my happiness is tied up in whether or not this specific individual bird mates every year,” claimed another.
“Wisdom is the only celebrity I care about,” a third fan added. “Impressive!” said the fourth person.
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