74-year-old world's oldest wild bird lays egg

Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, has laid an egg at the age of approximately 74, biologists confirmed

In a remarkable feat of nature, Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, has laid an egg at the age of approximately 74, biologists in the US have confirmed.

Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, was filmed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at the Midway Atoll national wildlife refuge in the Pacific Ocean, where she was seen with her new partner caring for the egg.

Typically, Laysan albatrosses have a life expectancy of 12 to 40 years, making Wisdom’s longevity truly extraordinary. She was first tagged by biologists in 1956, when she was around five years old. Since then, she has raised more than 30 chicks, with her last offspring hatching in 2021.

The USFWS reported on social media platform X that Wisdom is now paired with a new mate. Her previous partner, Akeakamai, has not been seen in several years. While Laysan albatrosses are known to mate for life, Wisdom has outlived at least three partners.

Biologists believe that there is a 70-80% chance that Wisdom’s latest egg will hatch, as she still exhibits the energy and instincts required to raise another chick. Albatross parents typically share the duties of incubating the egg and feeding the chick once it hatches.