60-yr Old Laysan Albatross Raises Chick

A 60-year old (at least) Laysan Albatross is raising a chick on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Named “Wisdom”, this albatross was first banded in 1956 at the suspected age of 5, the earliest age they breed (although she could have been 8 or 9).


Location: Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, PA
Date Taken: February 2011
Photographer: John Klavitter , U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

From the USGS:

Almost as amazing as being a parent at 60 is the number of miles this bird has likely logged – about 50,000 miles a year as an adult – which means that Wisdom has flown at least 2 to 3 million miles since she was first banded. Or, to put it another way, that’s 4 to 6 trips from the Earth to the Moon and back again with plenty of miles to spare.

Full news release here.

2 thoughts on “60-yr Old Laysan Albatross Raises Chick

  1. This is astonishing ! So glad I stumbled across your Blog. I had no idea these birds lived that long.

    Best wishes,

    Sybil in Eastern Passage, NS

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