Skip to main content

Natural Awakenings Tucson

74-Year-Old Albatross Becomes Mom Again

Albatross

John Klavitter, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

In 1956, researchers attached a tracking band to a 5-year-old Laysan albatross they named Wisdom that was living at the Midway Atoll, in the Pacific Ocean. Last November, this same bird laid her first egg in four years and became a mom again in late January, making her the oldest known wild bird in the world to lay and hatch an egg.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that Wisdom has outlived at least three mates and fledged as many as 30 chicks in her lifetime. Albatross mate for life but will breed with new mates if a partner dies. The next oldest albatross at Midway is 45 years old

Coming in September 2026
Deadline August 10th. Email [email protected]

 


Join Our Email Newsletter
Upcoming Events Near You

No Events in the next 21 days.


Missed the print deadline? Try email news!

Email News Exclusives with Social Media pushes; ask us about it today! [email protected]

Visit Us on Facebook
2026 Editorial Calendar