Laysan albatross Wisdom, known as the world’s oldest bird, was recently photographed displaying her mating dance with potential suitors on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. At 72 years old and recognized by her band number Z333, Wisdom returned for nesting season in late November. Despite being absent for the last two nesting seasons, her long-time mate Akeakamai, Wisdom has been socializing and courting other male birds.
Jonathan Plissner, a supervisory wildlife biologist at the national wildlife refuge, explained that Laysan albatross females typically lay a single egg in the first half of December. Despite her age of 72 years, Wisdom was described as being quite spry and actively courting other birds. Throughout her lifetime of over 70 years, it is estimated that Wisdom has produced 50-60 eggs and as many as 30 chicks that have successfully fledged.
Biologists first identified and banded Wisdom in 1956 after she laid an egg and are aware that Laysan albatrosses do not typically breed before the age of 5. Alongside Wisdom, millions of seabirds return to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in the North Pacific Ocean to nest and raise their young. This update on the record-breaking bird has been shared on social media, highlighting Wisdom’s remarkable story.