World’s oldest albatross returns to Hawaii

The world’s oldest known seabird has returned to Midway Atoll in Hawaii.

Laysan albatross colony, Midway atoll. Image by USFWS – Pacific region / CC BY 2.0

The US Fish and Wildlife Service said the Laysan Albatross named Wisdom was spotted at the remote island on November 19. An ornithologist first put an identification band on Wisdom in 1956. She is estimated to be at least 64 years old, but she could be older.

Laysan albatrosses typically mate for life, but Wisdom has likely had more than one mate. She has raised as many as 36 chicks.

(Press Association)