This egg, the thirtieth, would have between 70 and 80% chance of hatching according to specialists.
A new egg at 74
Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is home to the world's oldest known wild bird, Wisdom, a Laysan albatross. And apparently, the latter is doing quite well. Indeed, the latter was filmed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) laying an egg.
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. pic.twitter.com/6qomvs0rKL
— USFWS Pacific (@USFWSPacific) December 3, 2024
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In 1956, Wisdom was 5 years old. Consistent with other birds of its species, it was expected to have only 7 or 35 more years to live. However, the bird would be 74 years old today and would have more than 30 chicks to its credit. Her last little one before this one hatched in 2021.
Wisdom found a new partner
As the US Fish and Wildlife Service points out on X (formerly Twitter), Wisdom was with a new partner this year. It's been some time since his former companion, named Akeakamai, was seen. This species normally mates with the same partner throughout its life. However, Wisdom survived three of them!
“It's truly remarkable. Wisdom seems to be attracting interest from people all over the world. We look forward to his return every year.” Jon Plissner, wildlife biologist at the refuge, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Two to three million albatrosses travel to the Midway Islands in the Pacific Ocean to breed.
400,000 pairs of Laysan albatrosses
According to the specialist, there is between 70 and 80% chance that this egg will hatch. He also thinks Wisdom will have the energy to raise a new chick. Indeed, an albatross takes care of its chick and gives it food. The incubation of an egg lasts 65 days. The male and female take turns incubating it.
Chicks hatch between January and February. However, if during the incubation period the egg breaks or is infertile, there is no replacement laying, as Oise.net explains. According to the specialized site, 70% of the world population of Laysan albatross nests on Midway, or nearly 400,000 pairs on the three islands.
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