Laysan albatross, known as the world’s oldest bird, recently photographed engaging in a mating dance with potential suitors on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. At around 72 years old and recognized by her band number Z333, Wisdom returned for nesting season in late November. Despite her age, Wisdom was described as being quite spry and actively courting other birds.
According to Jonathan Plissner, a supervisory wildlife biologist at the national wildlife refuge, Laysan albatross females typically lay a single egg in the first half of December. Biologists first identified and banded Wisdom in 1956 after she laid an egg and are aware that Laysan albatrosses do not typically breed before the age of 5. Alongside Wisdom, millions of seabirds return to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in the North Pacific Ocean to nest and raise their young. This update on the record-breaking bird has been shared on social media, highlighting Wisdom’s remarkable story.