The Enduring Love Life of Wisdom: Midway Island’s 70-Year-Old Albatross Seeking a New Partner

Midway Island is home to a remarkable female Laysan albatross named Wisdom, who has been actively courting potential mates after the nesting season ended. At 70 years old, Wisdom is the world’s oldest wild bird and has been searching for a new partner following the loss of her long-time mate.

Wisdom was first identified in 1956 and has been wearing a collar ever since. Laysan albatrosses are known for their long lifespan and their tendency to mate for life with one partner. However, Wisdom’s usual partner, Akeakamai, has been missing for the past two nesting seasons, prompting her to seek new potential mates on Midway Atoll. Despite the nesting season being over, Wisdom continues to participate in mating rituals, showcasing her resilience and agility for her age.

Midway Atoll hosts the largest population of Laysan albatrosses, with 600,000 breeding pairs returning to the islands each year. Wisdom has been actively courting other birds during the mating season, demonstrating her willingness to find a new partner. With an estimated 5.6 million kilometers flown in her lifetime, Wisdom has covered significant distances in the North Pacific, fueling her flights with a diet of small squid, fish, and crustaceans.

In addition to her mating rituals, Wisdom has laid an estimated 60 eggs in her lifetime, showcasing her contribution to the population of Laysan albatrosses. Even though she may not nest this year, Wisdom’s presence on Midway Atoll is a testament to her endurance and determination as the world’s oldest wild bird.