#Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

[rjzimmerman]

Wisdom stands at right with red leg band, facing her new partner at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge on Nov. 26, 2024. Dan Rapp / USFWS volunteer

Wisdom is back! Excerpt from this story from EcoWatch:

Wisdom, a 74-year-old Laysan albatross, is the oldest-known wild bird on the planet. First fitted with a band in 1956, the Hawaiian seabird has laid her first egg in four years, according to United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) officials.

Wisdom returned to the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge to lay what could be her 60th egg, USFWS said, as reported by The Guardian.

“We are optimistic that the egg will hatch,” Jonathan Plissner, Midway Atoll’s supervisory wildlife biologist, said in a statement, as The Associated Press reported.

Millions of seabirds come back to Midway Atoll each year to nest and rear their chicks.

Wisdom and lifelong mate Akeakamai had been returning to the Hawaiian atoll to lay and hatch their eggs since 2006. However, it has been several years since Akeakamai has been seen, and Wisdom started interacting with another male upon her return last week, officials said.

Laysan albatrosses lay one egg each year, and, according to Plissner, Wisdom has raised up to 30 chicks.

October and November represent mating season at the refuge. Albatross parents share the incubation of an egg for roughly seven months. They then fly thousands of miles over the ocean in search of food to bring back to their young.

About five or six months after they hatch, chicks fly out to sea, where they will spend most of their lives soaring above the ocean feeding on fish and their eggs, crustaceans and squid.

Adult Laysan albatrosses fly as much as 50,000 miles each year, so USFWS said Wisdom would by now have flown multiple trips to the moon and back, reported CNN.

“It’s really amazing to encounter the world’s oldest known wild bird and see her add to the record year after year, but it fascinates because of its apparent uniqueness and not for any scientific or conservation or management implications. It’s interesting that the next oldest bird here that we know about is currently just 45+ years old. Almost thirty years apart in age is a big gap, especially with the tremendous number of albatross that were banded here in the 1960s,” Plissner said, according to USFWS.

[neshamama]

The long-winged seabird named Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge at the northwestern edge of the Hawaiian Archipelago and laid what experts estimate may be her 60th egg, the Pacific Region of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said in a Facebook post this week.

“We are optimistic that the egg will hatch,” Jonathan Plissner, supervisory wildlife biologist at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge said in a statement. Every year, millions of seabirds return to the refuge to nest and raise their young.

[goalhofer]

U.S. daily high temperature records tied/broken 1/11/2025

Anchorage, Alaska: 42 (previous record 40 1989) Bettles, Alaska: 29 (also 29 1985) Caribou Peak summit, Alaska: 35 (also 35 2003) Chena River Recreation Area, Alaska: 36 (also 36 1984) Unincorporated Chugach Census Area, Alaska: 48 (also 48 1931) Unincorporated Copper River Census Area, Alaska: 38 (previous record 34 1989) Unincorporated Copper River Census Area, Alaska: 39 (previous record 36 1949) Fairbanks, Alaska: 31 (also 31 1985) Unincorporated Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska: 40 (previous record 31 1997) Unincorporated Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska: 37 (previous record 0 1997) Unincorporated Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska: 42 (previous record 37 1984) Unincorporated Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska: 35 (previous record 0 1997) Unincorporated Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska: 41 (previous record 39 1997) Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska: 41 (also 41 2016) Unincorporated Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska: 46 (previous record 45 2012) Unincorporated Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska: 45 (also 45 1997) Noatak National Preserve, Alaska: 33 (previous record 30 2024) Unincorporated Nome Census Borough, Alaska: 34 (previous record 0 2007) North Pole, Alaska: 30 (previous record 29 2021) Pelican, Alaska: 42 (also 42 2016) Unincorporated Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska: 40 (previous record 33 2021) Unincorporated Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska: 30 (previous record 24 2021) Unincorprated Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska: 41 (previous record 35 1984) Yakutat, Alaska: 47 (previous record 46 1981) Unincorporated Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska: 13 (previous record 11 2015) Unincorporated Kings County, California: 70 (previous record 66 2015) Oakland, California: 71 (previous record 68 1983) San José, California: 69 (also 69 1959) San Rafael, California: 69 (also 69 1953) Unincorporated Tulare County, California: 72 (also 72 1959) Unincorporated Tuolumne County, California: 67 (also 67 2012) Wasco, California: 76 (previous record 74 2018) Wake Island, Marshall Islands: 87 (also 87 2002) Sand Island, Midway Atoll: 77 (previous record 76 1988) Deschutes National Forest, Oregon: 42 (previous record 41 2009) Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington: 50 (previous record 49 2010)

[badolmen]

ID: A tweet by USFWS Pacific @/USFWSPacific that reads,

“SHE DID IT AGAIN!

Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, is back with a new partner and just laid yet another egg.

At an approximate age of 74, the queen of seabirds returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge last week and began interacting with a male.”

Attached to the tweet is a picture of two albatrosses, one sitting on a ground nest. Wisdom is the bird with the red leg band standing on the left. End ID.

WISDOM UPDATE

[squarcoo3]

Wisdom’s Legacy: A 74-Year-Old Albatross Defies the Odds

Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, has done the extraordinary once again. At approximately 74 years old, the venerable Laysan albatross has laid an egg—her first in four years. This milestone, hailed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials, adds another chapter to her already legendary life. Each year, millions of seabirds flock to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary that…

[trendingnews19]

The world's oldest known wild bird has laid an egg at the approximate age of 74, US biologists say.Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, was filmed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at the Midway Atoll national wildlife refuge in the Pacific Ocean with her latest partner looking after the egg.Members of the species usually only live for 12-40 years, but Wisdom was tagged in 1956 when she was about five. Her last offspring hatched in 2021. She is thought to have had more than 30 chicks in her lifetime.The USFWS said on X that Wisdom was with a new partner this year and that her previous partner Akeakamai had not been seen for several years. The species generally mates for life but she is already thought to have outlived at least three mates.Jon Plissner, supervisory wildlife biologist at the refuge, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Wisdom was one of two to three million Laysan albatrosses who travel to Midway to breed.He said biologists were unaware of any other birds even close to her age, the oldest being 45."It's really been remarkable," he said. "Wisdom seems to pique the interest of people across the world. We wait each year with bated breath for her return."He said Wisdom still appeared to have the energy and instincts to raise another chick, and that there was a 70-80% chance of the egg hatching. Albatross parents share incubation duties and, once the chick hatches, feeding duties.Wisdom was first identified and tagged in 1956 after laying an egg. Laysan albatrosses are not known to breed before the age of five.Midway Atoll is part of the Hawaiian archipelago but does not fall within the US state of Hawaii and is described as an unincorporated territory of the US.The wildlife refuge is home to the largest colony of albatross in the world. atOptions = 'key' : '6c396458fda3ada2fbfcbb375349ce34', 'format' : 'iframe', 'height' : 60, 'width' : 468, 'params' : ;

[newsclickofficial]

The world's oldest known wild bird has laid an egg at the approximate age of 74, US biologists say.Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, was filmed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at the Midway Atoll national wildlife refuge in the Pacific Ocean with her latest partner looking after the egg.Members of the species usually only live for 12-40 years, but Wisdom was tagged in 1956 when she was about five. Her last offspring hatched in 2021. She is thought to have had more than 30 chicks in her lifetime.The USFWS said on X that Wisdom was with a new partner this year and that her previous partner Akeakamai had not been seen for several years. The species generally mates for life but she is already thought to have outlived at least three mates.Jon Plissner, supervisory wildlife biologist at the refuge, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Wisdom was one of two to three million Laysan albatrosses who travel to Midway to breed.He said biologists were unaware of any other birds even close to her age, the oldest being 45."It's really been remarkable," he said. "Wisdom seems to pique the interest of people across the world. We wait each year with bated breath for her return."He said Wisdom still appeared to have the energy and instincts to raise another chick, and that there was a 70-80% chance of the egg hatching. Albatross parents share incubation duties and, once the chick hatches, feeding duties.Wisdom was first identified and tagged in 1956 after laying an egg. Laysan albatrosses are not known to breed before the age of five.Midway Atoll is part of the Hawaiian archipelago but does not fall within the US state of Hawaii and is described as an unincorporated territory of the US.The wildlife refuge is home to the largest colony of albatross in the world.

[globalnews1]

The world's oldest known wild bird has laid an egg at the approximate age of 74, US biologists say.Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, was filmed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at the Midway Atoll national wildlife refuge in the Pacific Ocean with her latest partner looking after the egg.Members of the species usually only live for 12-40 years, but Wisdom was tagged in 1956 when she was about five. Her last offspring hatched in 2021. She is thought to have had more than 30 chicks in her lifetime.The USFWS said on X that Wisdom was with a new partner this year and that her previous partner Akeakamai had not been seen for several years. The species generally mates for life but she is already thought to have outlived at least three mates.Jon Plissner, supervisory wildlife biologist at the refuge, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Wisdom was one of two to three million Laysan albatrosses who travel to Midway to breed.He said biologists were unaware of any other birds even close to her age, the oldest being 45."It's really been remarkable," he said. "Wisdom seems to pique the interest of people across the world. We wait each year with bated breath for her return."He said Wisdom still appeared to have the energy and instincts to raise another chick, and that there was a 70-80% chance of the egg hatching. Albatross parents share incubation duties and, once the chick hatches, feeding duties.Wisdom was first identified and tagged in 1956 after laying an egg. Laysan albatrosses are not known to breed before the age of five.Midway Atoll is part of the Hawaiian archipelago but does not fall within the US state of Hawaii and is described as an unincorporated territory of the US.The wildlife refuge is home to the largest colony of albatross in the world.

[petnews2day]

World's Oldest Bird Named Wisdom Lost Her Mate But is Courting New Suitors at 72

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/X9dMT

World's Oldest Bird Named Wisdom Lost Her Mate But is Courting New Suitors at 72

Wisdom the Laysan albatross (on left), the world’s oldest bird, in mating dance – USFWS via SWNS The world’s oldest bird may have lost her mate, but she’s now courting new suitors in her 70s. The Laysan albatross named Wisdom, was photographed dancing with potential mates on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, the seabird’s home. […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/X9dMT #BirdNews

[todaysdocument]

Laysan Albatross at Sunset, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, 1/10/2007

Series: Photographs from the National Digital Library, ca. 1998 - 2011

Record Group 22: Records of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1868 - 2008

Image description: An albatross poses, its head turned to the side, in front of the setting sun.

[americasgreatoutdoors]

Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge sits on one of the most remote coral atolls on Earth. While it only has about 40 human residents, during breeding season, over a million Laysan albatrosses settle on the atoll’s three islands. Monogamous couples of Laysan albatrosses share egg tending and chick feeding duties, including Wisdom, the oldest known wild bird in the world. Every square foot of land is occupied by a bird, and the air is full of the sound and the smell of them. It’s quite a scene. Photo by Susan Middleton, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

[rjzimmerman]

I’ve been keeping up with Wisdom for years. She did it again!

Wisdom‘s newest chick shortly after hatching, with its Dad, Akeakamai. Photo credit: Jon Brack/Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.

Wisdom’s chick pipping. Pipping is when a young bird begins to crack the shell of the egg when hatching. Sometimes the process can take multiple days. Photo credit: Jon Brack/Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

Excerpt from this story from Earth Island Journal:

Wisdom, a mōlī (Laysan albatross) and world’s oldest known, banded wild bird, hatched a new chick this week at Midway Atoll. Biologists first observed the egg pipping on Friday, January 29. After several days, the chick hatched on Monday, February 1.

Every year, millions of albatrosses return to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial. Beginning in October, birds return to their same nesting site and reunite with their mate in the world’s largest colony of albatrosses. Wisdom and her mate, Akeakamai, have been hatching and raising chicks together since at least 2012, when biologists first banded Akeakamai.

“At least 70 years old, we believe Wisdom has had other mates,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Dr. Beth Flint. “Though albatross mate for life, they may find new partners if necessary — for example if they outlive their first mate.”

Albatross don’t typically lay eggs every year and when they do, they lay only one egg. Each chick that makes it to adulthood makes a difference to for the future of the albatross population. Biologists estimate that Wisdom has hatched at least 30–36 chicks in her lifetime. In 2018, biologists observed the chick that she fledged in 2011 just a few feet away from her current nest. Countless generations of albatrosses on Midway Atoll have a similar family reunion each year.

[dendroica]

Wisdom, the world’s oldest known breeding bird, sits with her chick in a nest at the Midway Atoll animal refuge centre. The Laysan albatross, who is at least 68 years old and has raised at least 31 chicks, hatched her latest one this month at the remote atoll north-west of Hawaii, US

Photograph: Bob Peyton/AP

(via Week in wildlife – in pictures | Environment | The Guardian)

[uacboo]

The Battle of Midway, fought from June 4-7, 1942, was one of the most decisive battles of World War II, and proved to be the turning point of the War in the Pacific. Now home to the world's largest albatross colony, Midway stands today as a sacred and peaceful memorial to the sacrifices, courage and dedication of those who served. It is protected as a place of tranquility, of natural beauty, and abundant life. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is honored to be the stewards of the #BattleofMidway #NationalMemorial and Midway Atoll National #WildlifeRefuge. #Midway77 #WWII 📷: Photo of the sun rising over an anti-aircraft gun on Eastern Island, surrounded by thousands of albatross sitting on the ground. Credit: Dan Clark/#USFWS. Source: Instagram

[usfwspacific]

World’s Oldest Wild Bird Returns to Midway!

Wisdom and her egg on Midway Atoll in 2018. Photo credit  Madalyn Riley /USFWS

Wisdom, a Laysan albatross and world’s oldest known, banded bird in the wild has returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial! 

She first appeared back at her traditional nest site on November 29 and biologists on Midway have confirmed that she has laid an egg.  Wisdom was first banded as an adult  in 1956, and although she is at least 68 years old, she is still laying eggs and raising chicks.

Wisdom and her mate Akeakamai return to the same nest site on Midway Atoll each year. Albatross often take time off to rest between egg-laying years, but the pair have met on Midway to lay and hatch an egg every year since 2006. 

Wisdom’s Photo Album Through Time

Wisdom spends 90% of her life at sea where she soars over the ocean for days on end and rests on the waves to feed on squid and fish eggs. Like all albatross, she returns nearly every year to the place she was born.  For Wisdom, and  over a million other Laysan albatross, that place is Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial. Biologists call this type of behavior “nest site fidelity,” and it makes preserving places with large colonies of birds critically important for the future survival of seabirds like Wisdom.

Wisdom incubating her egg. Photo credit: Bob Peyton/USFWS

A Chance Encounter in a Historic Location

Wisdom was first banded during a bird survey in 1956 by a biologist named Chandler Robbins. At the time, Midway Island was a strategic outpost for the U.S. Navy and Wisdom was banded at her nest next to one of the barracks.

That year was Chandler Robbins’ first season on Midway Atoll where he was studying the albatross colony. At he time, Wisdom wasn’t particularly special, she wasn’t even Wisdom. She was just one of the hundreds of thousands of returning to Midway and one of 8,400 albatross that were banded that year.

Robbins banding an albatross at Midway Island in 1966. Photo credit: USFFWS

In a strange twist of fate, it was Robbins himself  who“rediscovered” Wisdom 46 years later during a survey near the same nesting location. As he recorded her band number, he noticed that he had been the original recorder all those years ago during his first season on Midway.

Robbins Passed Away in 2017. Read more about his incredible contributions to wildlife conservation.   

Biologists on Midway band one of Wisdom’s chicks. Photo credit: USFWS

In the past, many albatross were banded with aluminum bands that sometimes became corroded by sand and salt water. These early bands would often fall off in 20 years or less. Wisdom’s bands, fortunately, were continuously replaced and because of meticulous record keeping associated with bird banding on Midway, biologists were able to confirm that she is the same bird first banded by Robbins. Biologists may find even older birds as old worn bands continue to be routinely replaced.

Albatross were first banded on Midway in 1936 and to date over 250,000 have been banded here. Bird surveys and banding projects have long helped scientists understand the complex life cycles and migration patterns of birds across the globe. By pairing modern data analysis with detailed current and historical records, we can better understand the migratory paths of millions of birds and spot changes in those patterns. This information helps scientists make better management decisions that ensure seabirds have the habitat and resources they need in the future.

Midway Atoll was also the site of one of the most important battles in US Naval history. 

A Refuge at Sea

Midway is made up of two flat sandy islands ringed by turquoise waters and a spectacular coral reef. The islands and the massive seabird colony of over 3 million birds that rely on them sit in the middle of the Pacific Ocean inside one of the world’s largest protected areas, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

“Midway during nesting season is an overwhelming experience,” said Beth Flint, Wildlife Biologist with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “You are bombarded by the sounds and smells of 1.2 million albatross and over three million seabirds. Every square foot of land, and much of the ground underfoot is occupied by a nesting bird. Itʻs like another world.”

Photo: From October to December, Albatrosses return and descend upon the island transforming the landscape into a sea of birds. Photo credit: USFWS.

Nearly 70% of the world’s Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) and almost 40% of Black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes), as well as endangered Short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus) all rely on the Refuge and Memorial at Midway. In addition to albatross, there are 20 different birds species that live on Midway Atoll. In total, over three million individual birds call the Refuge and Memorial home.

“Laysan albatross and other seabirds depend on the habitat protected by Midway Atoll and other Pacific remote wildlife refuges to raise their young,” said Bob Peyton, Project Leader for Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Battle of Midway National Memorial. “Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers, we have been able restore the native habitat that the birds need for nesting sites, ensuring a future for these seabirds.”

Clockwise from top left: White tern chick, a pair of Laysan Albatross, a pair of Black-footed albatross, a Red-footed booby, and a mother Laysan duck with chicks. Photos credit: Kristy Lapenta / USFWS

Biologists with the Fish and Wildlife Service are working to restore the habitat seabirds need at Midway Atoll and throughout the Pacific and remove threats like invasive predators - because protecting the future for seabirds mean protecting the places they call home.

Seabirds at Midway are facing an new threat from predatory invasive mice. Read more about the problem and what the Service is doing to protect the seabird colony at Midway.

It Takes Two

Raising the next generation of albatross is no easy job. Albatross lay a single egg and incubate it for a little over two months.  After the chick hatches, it will still be another five months before it will leave the nest.

A pair of albatross sit on Midway Atoll. Photo credit: USFWS/Kristy Lapenta

In that time, albatross parents like Wisdom and her mate Akeakamai, take turns incubating the egg or caring for the chick while the other forages for food at sea. They will spend a approximately seven months on Midway Atoll incubating and raising their chick. When not on parenting duty, Wisdom and Akeakamai take off to forage for food. Because this process takes up so much time and energy, most Laysan albatross don’t lay an egg every year.

Starting around age five, juvenile albatross begin the process of finding a mate. During nesting season, juvenile albatross can be found all over Midway Atoll practicing elaborate courtship dances that dozens of ritualized movements. They are looking for just that special bird to dip, bow, and preen with, and once a pair bond forms they stay bonded for life.

Read more about the incredible lives of Laysan albatross.

Albatross pairs have elaborate courtship dances. Photo credits: USFWS / Kristy Lapenta 

In 2017,  the chick that Wisdom fledged in 2001 was observed just a few feet away from her current nest, marking the first time a returning chick of hers has been documented. “Midway Atoll’s habitat doesn’t just contain millions of birds, it contains countless generations and families of albatrosses” said Kelly Goodale, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge Biologist. “If you can imagine when Wisdom returns home she is likely surrounded by what were once her chicks and potentially their chicks. What a family reunion!”

Wisdom and her egg on Midway Atoll in 2018. Photo credit: Madalyn Riley /USFWS

Read more stories about Midway Atoll and Laysan Albatross:

Midway’s Albatross: A New Threat Puts the World’s Largest Colony at Risk

Video: Battle of Midway Commemoration Film

The Return of Midway’s Albatross

The Laysan Albatross: A Lovesong

MIdway Atoll: Restoring an Ecological Gem

A Future to Count on for Albatross at Midway NWR

Discovering Midway’s Cultural History

War and Peace at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial

Located on the far northern end of the Hawaiian archipelago, Midway Atoll Refuge and Memorial is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and located within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. It is one the oldest Atoll formations in the world, it provides nesting habitat for millions of seabirds, and it is a touchstone for one of the most significant naval battles of World War II, and in history, the Battle of Midway. To learn more about the Midway Atoll: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/midway_Atoll/