Wisdom is back and breeding with a new mate!

“Wisdom and her mate talk to their newly laid egg"

ACAP Latest News has reported many times over the years on the fortunes of Wisdom, the 70-something Laysan Albatross Phoebastrai immutabilis – and the world’s oldest known wild bird – on her home of Midway Atoll (click here). She is now reported by the Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge as being back on Midway’s Sand Island, sighted near her usual nest site on 26 November, with a new mate incubating an egg for the new 2024/2025 season.

“The oldest known banded bird in the wild, a Mōlī or Laysan albatross known as Wisdom and who is at least 74 years old, has once again mystified biologists.  Being able to reproduce and develop an egg, much less survive at sea and rear at least 30 chicks during her 74+ years defies logic and is truly remarkable.  She is more than a symbol of hope and resilience, she also helps scientists better understand how to fully support such long lived and majestic seabirds.  Enjoy the affectionate moments as Wisdom (band number Z333) and her mate welcome their offspring into the world.  All images were captured by photographer and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Volunteer Dan Rapp and were made possible to share with [the] world because of the members and donors of the Friends of Midway Atoll.”

“Wisdom's mate positions himself in preparation for the first incubation of their newly laid egg.  Soon after Wisdom departs out to sea to rest, feed and recuperate”

“Wisdom's journey over more than seven decades continues to inspire thousands of people around the world with hope for the thriving success of not just her species, but countless other species thanks to the driven workers, volunteers, and agencies devoted to bringing balance to natural places around our planet [Pacific Islands: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]”.

A personal note:  As a septuagenarian myself and having visited Midway Atoll back in 2000 as part of the Second International Conference on the Biology and Conservation of Albatrosses and other Petrels held in Honolulu, I feel a special affinity for Wisdom.  After all, I always wear on my wrist a replica of her red colour band Z333!

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 29 November 2024