Pearls of Wisdom

OLDEST KNOWN WILD BIRD PRODUCES 30TH CHICK

Wisdom, the world's oldest known wild bird, has been spotted feeding what is believed to be her 30th chick on Midway Atoll, a National Wildlife Refuge on the outer northwestern edge of the Hawaiian archipelago. One of the oldest atoll formations in the world, this refuge is managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and volunteers who live there 'to support the recovery and integrity of wildlife habitat and species'.

Every year millions of seabirds, shorebirds, ducks, and various marine life return to the area to raise their young, including Wisdom, a Laysan Albatross, who has been doing so for many years. At an approximate age of 74, this queen of seabirds was first identified and banded after she was spotted having laid an egg, in 1956, and these large seabirds aren't known to breed before they reach 5 years of age. Since then, Wisdom is estimated to have produced 50-60 eggs and 30 chicks that have fledged in her lifetime.

Like other Laysan albatross, Wisdom returns to the same nesting site each year to reunite with her mate and if able, lay one egg. For decades she did this with the same partner, Akeakamai, but that bird has not been seen for several years, causing Wisdom to begin courtship dances with other males.

Now she happily has a new mate and the chick, which will take about 160 days to fledge is being cared for and fed regurgitated squid, fish and crustaceans by both parents.

You can watch Wisdom and her new mate, and then with their egg, in the US Fish and Wildlife Service videos by Dan Rap below and meet the new chick in the above photo, taken by a US Fish and Wildlife Service volunteer.