Wisdom Returns to Papahānaumokuākea

Wisdom (left) with her mate (right) on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge/Battle of Midway National Memorial in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Credit: Kiah Walker/USFWS

Days before Thanksgiving 2015, the world's oldest known banded bird in the wild, known as Wisdom, was sighted on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The 64-year old Laysan albatross was spotted with her mate amongst the world’s largest nesting albatross colony.

On November 19, 2015 Wisdom Returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and was observed with her mate on November 21. Credit: Kiah Walker/USFWS

Wisdom was first banded 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. Many birds lose their bands before they can be replaced. Wisdom’s bands, however, were continuously replaced and because of meticulous record keeping associated with bird banding, managers can verify she is the same bird first banded by noted author and USFWS ornithologist Chandler Robbins. Biologists may find even older birds as old worn bands continue to be routinely replaced.

On November 19, 2015 Wisdom Returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and was observed with her mate on November 21. Credit: Kiah Walker/USFWS

Laysan albatrosses typically mate for life, and Wisdom has likely 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.

Wisdom (right) tends to her egg with her mate at Midway Atoll. Credit: Dan Clark/USFWS

Midway is home to 70% of the world’s Laysan albatross and hosts the largest colony of multiple albatross species in the world!

For more information about Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge/Battle of Midway National Memorial, visit http://www.fws.gov/midway/.

Video and images of Wisdom: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/sets/72157632891366006/with/23286592376/.

Read the Press Release.