24/12/2024
World's Oldest Bird Set to Become a Mom Again, Laying Egg at 74:
At 74 years old, Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, is about to become a mom once again, proving that age is no barrier to parenting — even for a Laysan albatross.
Wisdom has returned to Midway Atoll, near Hawaii, where she has nested for decades, this time laying an egg with a new partner after the disappearance of her long-time mate.
The remarkable seabird has already laid over 50 eggs in her lifetime, and wildlife experts are optimistic that this latest one will hatch successfully. Photographs captured by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service show the proud parents “chatting” to their egg, a touching display of their dedication to raising the next generation.
First tagged in 1956, when she was already at least five years old, Wisdom has outlived expectations and set records among birds, whose lifespans vary widely by species.
While most seabirds can live into their 40s or 50s, Wisdom has soared far beyond, embodying the resilience of her kind. With a wingspan of up to 80 inches (203 cm) and the ability to travel over 930 miles (1,500 km) for food, Laysan albatrosses are perfectly adapted for life at sea.
Image: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
