Wisdom, the 67-Year-Old Albatross, Shows Remarkable Reproductive Ability

According to a National Geographic report, a Laysan albatross—the world's oldest known wild bird—laid an egg at the remarkable age of 67.

The U.S. wildlife conservation association says that the albatross Wisdom and her mate, Akeakamai, have laid an egg at Midway Atoll and are caring for it. The pair reportedly flies to Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument each year to raise one chick.

Nicknamed Wisdom for her longevity and good health, the Laysan albatross is now 67 years old and is also the longest-lived albatross. Wisdom was first discovered in the Midway Atoll area by biologist Chandler Robbins in 1956. Forty-six years later, in 2002, Robbins spotted Wisdom once again.

Kate Toniolo, deputy superintendent of the marine national monument, said, “Wisdom's ability to continue laying eggs so actively even in old age is highly remarkable to researchers.”

Toniolo emphasized, “There is no known precedent for a 67-year-old bird reproducing.”

Meanwhile, Charles Eldermire, a project leader at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in New York, said, “Wisdom's remarkable ability to survive and reproduce is overturning conventional wisdom.”

Eldermire explained that Wisdom was both lucky and intelligent because the bird not only adapted to harsh conditions and changed its way of life, but also found suitable land on which to raise chicks. He described Wisdom as “an incredibly lucky and smart bird.”

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Wisdom has flown between 2 million and 3 million miles since 1956 and raised 35 chicks over her lifetime.