There aren’t many birds who gain global attention for their age. But Wisdom, a Laysan Albatross in Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, is the oldest known bird in the world! Banded as an adult in 1956 she is now at least 75 years old. Albatrosses mate for life, and she has outlived 3 mates – she is now with a much younger husband – #4 – and has laid a single egg again this season with her new mate.
For a bird who has spent her life on the wing except for when she is breeding every couple of years, her life is measured in soaring miles and chicks fledged. For Wisdom, now at least a great-grandmother, the estimates are that she has soared over 3 million miles, laid between 50-60 eggs and fledged over 30 chicks. And the best part is, she continues to return to Midway Atoll every year or two. Here’s a great story from Forbes about Wisdom’s life and more information on the fascinating lifestyle of albatrosses.