'Wisdom' the Albatross returns to Midway Atoll to nests again at the age of 75

Wisdom is a Lysal albatross (Image: Jon Plissner/USFWS)

'Wisdom' the albatross has returned to nest again this year. She is the world’s oldest known wild bird still breeding. Scientists confirmed her arrival at Midway Atoll this season. Her new egg marks another milestone in avian reproductive longevity.

Where The Rare Bird Returns?

'Wisdom' once again nested within Midway Atoll’s protected wildlife refuge. The remote Pacific atoll shelters vast seabird colonies across seasons. Her familiar nesting site remains monitored by conservation biologists continually. Regular surveillance confirms her repeated annual presence despite advancing age.

When First Identified Wisdom?

Scientists first recorded Wisdom during ringing operations in 1956. She was tagged by researcher Chandler Robbins that same year. The long-term monitoring programme continues through federal conservation agencies today. Researchers track her movements through band readings and field surveys.

What Scientists Observed Recently? 

Wisdom laid another egg during the 2025 breeding cycle. Her estimated age surpasses typical Laysan albatross reproductive expectations significantly. She has produced over fifty eggs throughout her remarkable lifetime. Around thirty chicks reportedly fledged successfully under her dependable care.

What makes this bird Remarkable?

Her ongoing fertility challenges assumptions about ageing in wild seabirds. She provides unique insight into long-term survival within changing marine ecosystems. Wisdom symbolises resilience amid threats from pollution and habitat loss. Her story strengthens global interest in seabird conservation and ocean protection.

How Researchers Plan Ahead?

Scientists will monitor her nest for developmental progress this season. They will track chick survival rates within local environmental conditions. Future studies may reveal genetic factors influencing her extraordinary longevity. Continued protection ensures Wisdom’s legacy remains scientifically valuable for decades.