The oldest known bird in the world, a Laysan albatross named Wisdom, has laid an egg at approximately 74 years old at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in Hawaii. This is the first egg Wisdom has laid in four years and researchers estimate that she has laid between 50 and 60 eggs in her lifetime. The father of the egg is attentive to the nest during his long incubation shift, leading observers to be optimistic that the egg will hatch. Wisdom was first found and banded in 1956 after laying an egg, and has raised 30 chicks in her life. She had previously mated with an albatross named Akeakamai, who has not been seen for several years. The average lifespan of the Laysan albatross species is around 68 years. The event of Wisdom laying an egg at such an advanced age has been described as a special joy by the supervisory wildlife biologist at the refuge. This news highlights the remarkable longevity and reproductive success of this incredible bird.
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