World's oldest-known wild bird returns to lay egg at 64

Wisdom, a Laysan albatross and the world's oldest known banded bird in the wild, has returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

Wisdom was spotted with her mate on among the world's largest nesting albatross colony.

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Refuge Manager, Dan Clark, said: "In the face of dramatic seabird population decreases worldwide – 70% drop since the 1950's when Wisdom was first banded – Wisdom has become a symbol of hope and inspiration.

"We are a part of the fate of Wisdom and it is gratifying to see her return because of the decades of hard work conducted to manage and protect albatross nesting habitat."

Deputy Refuge Manager, Bret Wolfe, added: "Wisdom left soon after mating but we expect her back any day now to lay her egg.

"It is very humbling to think that she has been visiting Midway for at least 64 years.

"Navy sailors and their families likely walked by her not knowing she could possibly be rearing a chick over 50 years later."

Wisdom was first banded (tagged) in 1956. And because Laysan albatross do not return to breed until they are at least five years old, it is estimated Wisdom is at least 64 years old, but she could be older.

Although Laysan albatrosses typically mate for life, Wisdom has likely had more than one mate and has raised as many as 36 chicks.

Laying only one egg per year, a breeding albatross and their mate will spend approximately six months rearing and feeding their young.

When not tending to their chicks, albatross forage hundreds of miles out at sea periodically returning with meals of squid or flying fish eggs.

Wisdom has likely clocked over six million ocean miles of flight time.