Wisdom, the world’s oldest known Laysan Albatross, still has it – engaging in mutual displays into her 70s

Wisdom (right) displays with another Laysan Albatross, 18 March 2024

Wisdom, a Laysan Albatross Phoebastria immutabilis on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge’s Sand Island, is the world’s oldest known wild bird.  Now into her 70s, she was sighted wearing her now well-known plastic leg band red Z333 on 18 March 2024, engaging in mutual displays with other Laysan Albatrosses at her former nest site.

“Wisdom was previously last sighted in January 2024 in search of a new mate after her former mate did not return during the early winter 2023 breeding season.  It is extremely unlikely that she will find that one and only “mature” mate so late in the 2024 nesting season but it is not for lack of trying! She truly is one of the grandest of grandmothers in the animal kingdom.”

On 24 and 25 December 2023 Wisdom was seen displaying with an unbanded male, she was first recorded for the 2023/24 breeding season on 03 December last year.  Her last partner, named Akeakamai, has not been seen this and in the two previous seasons and is likely to be no longer alive (click here).  Let’s hope she can find a new mate in the 2024/25 season and breeds once more.

Wisdom (centre) displays with three other Laysan Albatrosses, 18 March 2024
Photographs by Nick Minnich, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Volunteer

View Wisdom's latest photo shoot by Nick Minnich.  News from the Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.  Access the many previous posts about Wisdom  in ACAP Latest News from here.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 26 March 2024