Wisdom is an albatross that was first banded in 1956 on Midway Atoll in the northern Pacific Ocean. She is at least 67 years old as of 2023, making her the oldest known wild bird currently alive. Albatrosses are known for their longevity, with lifespans often stretching well over 50 years. But even by albatross standards, Wisdom is ancient. She has survived year after year raising chicks, migrating thousands of miles, and enduring all that nature throws at her. Her advanced age and remarkable life history make her a source of fascination for ornithologists and bird enthusiasts around the world.
How old is Wisdom the albatross?
Wisdom is at least 67 years old as of 2023. She was first banded as an adult in 1956 by biologist Chandler Robbins on Midway Atoll. At the time, her age was estimated to be at least 5 years old, meaning she was born in 1951 or earlier. Since then, Wisdom has been spotted and re-banded several times, allowing scientists to accurately track her increasing age over the decades. In 2002, at age 51, she was the oldest known wild bird in the world. Today, over 60 years after first being banded, she retains the title of world’s oldest known wild bird at 67+ years old.
Key facts about Wisdom’s age
- First banded in 1956 at estimated minimum age of 5 years
- Estimated hatch year 1951 or earlier
- In 2002, was confirmed as oldest wild bird in the world at age 51
- As of 2023, is at least 67 years old
How do scientists know Wisdom’s age?
Wisdom’s age is known because she has been tracked by scientists since first being banded by Chandler Robbins in 1956. Robbins attached a numbered metal band to Wisdom’s leg when she was incubating an egg on Midway Atoll. This allowed scientists to identify her as an individual bird and follow her life history over many decades.
Wisdom has since been periodically recaptured and re-banded. By noting the original 1956 band number and her minimum age at the time, scientists have been able to calculate her increasing age over the years. Each time Wisdom has been spotted, whether during banding or simply observed in the wild, her identification and approximate age have been carefully recorded. Her known sightings and recaptures provide an estimate of 67+ years for her current age as of 2023.
Key events establishing Wisdom’s age
- 1956 – First banded at minimum age of 5 years old
- 2002 – Aged 51 years, confirmed as oldest wild bird
- 2006 – Spotted raising chick at estimated age 55
- 2012 – Spotted on Midway Atoll at estimated age 61
- 2017 – Recaptured and re-banded at estimated age 66
- 2022 – Photographed on nesting site at estimated age 67+
How long do albatrosses live?
Albatrosses are remarkably long-lived birds. The oldest albatrosses have been documented living 60+ years in the wild. Based on banding data and population analyses, the average lifespan for albatrosses ranges between 20-40 years depending on the specific species.
The exceptionally old ages reached by some albatrosses can be attributed to their lifestyle. Albatrosses spend most of their lives soaring over the open ocean, landing only to breed and raise chicks. This means they avoid most land-based predators and sources of disease. Their isolated island breeding colonies offer protection for nesting birds. Their ability to range widely over the ocean helps ensure a reliable food supply of squid, fish and other seafood.
Maximum recorded lifespans for albatross species
| Species | Oldest recorded age |
|---|---|
| Wandering albatross | 51 years |
| Black-footed albatross | 62 years |
| Laysan albatross | 43 years |
| Short-tailed albatross | 60+ years* |
* Wisdom the Laysan albatross, age 67+ as of 2023
Wisdom’s long life as a wild albatross
Wisdom’s 67+ years as a wild Laysan albatross have been well documented by scientists. Over six decades, she has survived a wide range of environmental conditions and challenges.
Since first being banded in 1956, Wisdom has likely flown over 3 million miles across the Pacific Ocean. Each year she mates with a male albatross, produces an egg, and raises a chick at her Midway Atoll breeding colony. Scientists estimate Wisdom has raised at least 30-35 chicks in her lifetime. By resisting injuries, diseases, ocean pollution, severe weather, and other threats, she has lived nearly three times longer than most Laysan albatrosses.
Key achievements and milestones from Wisdom’s life:
- Successfully raised chicks for over 50 consecutive years
- Survived Midway’s transition from naval base to wildlife refuge
- Banded as oldest wild bird in world in 2002 at age 51
- Observed successfully rearing a chick in 2006 at estimated age 55
- Survived 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami
- Re-banded in 2017 at record age of 66 years
- Seen incubating egg in 2022 at estimated age of 67+
How Wisdom defies aging
Wisdom’s extreme old age and continued breeding success goes against much of what is understood about bird aging. Most wild birds go through a process of senescence, gradually losing reproduction and survival ability as they age. However, Wisdom defies typical senescence patterns, baffling scientists with her lifelong fitness in the face of advancing age.
Researchers point to genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to Wisdom’s longevity. She may have rare genes promoting healthy aging. The isolated Midway Atoll habitat is relatively untouched by humans and may provide abundant resources. But her remarkable vitality remains somewhat a mystery. Wisdom continues to breed, forage, migrate, and raise chicks despite being nearly 70 years old.
Factors enabling Wisdom’s enduring fitness and success:
- Genetics promoting longevity and disease resistance
- Prime breeding site with abundant food
- Isolation from most predators and human activity
- Proven skill at finding nest materials and feeding chicks
- Vast lifetime experience inocean navigation and survivorship
- Avoidance of injury from fishing gear and ocean plastics
- Favorable environmental conditions across decades
Wisdom as symbol of persistence and longevity
As the oldest known wild bird currently alive, Wisdom serves as a remarkable symbol of avian endurance and resistance to aging. She epitomizes the persistence, longevity, and breeding success that albatrosses are famous for.
After surviving over 60 years in a harsh ocean environment, raising chick after chick, and enduring storms, pollution, disruptions, and all the trials of life in the wild, Wisdom has more than earned her name. Her enduring legacy lives on as an inspiration not just to scientists, but to anyone who admires her will to survive, thrive, and defy the odds.
Reasons Wisdom symbolizes the incredible tenacity of albatrosses:
- Survived over 6 times longer than average Laysan albatross
- Banded as oldest wild bird for over 20 years and counting
- Hatched before first nuclear power plant and human spaceflight
- Raised chicks before the Environmental Protection Agency existed
- Still breeding well beyond post-reproductive age expected for species
- Persisted through dramatic environmental changes over 60+ years
- Inspires wonder at improbable longevity and endurance in the wild
Conclusion
Wisdom the Laysan albatross continues her legendary life flying over the Pacific and raising chicks on Midway Atoll. Since being banded in 1956 at an estimated 5 years old, she has survived over 60 more years in the wild, making her at least 67 years old in 2023. This astonishing lifespan is a testament to the persistence, longevity, and resilience albatrosses are renowned for.
As the world’s oldest known wild bird, Wisdom defies scientists’ understanding of bird aging and reproductive lifespans. While most birds show declining fitness after early reproductive years, Wisdom continues breeding well into her 60s. Her long life offers insights into the genetics, environmental factors, and behaviors enabling impressive albatross survivorship.
Wisdom’s story is one of incredible lifelong adaptation to the harsh ocean environment. By any measure, she has earned her name through her astonishing longevity and persistence in the face of challenges. As a symbol of graceful aging, lifelong passion, and endurance against the odds, she continues to inspire wonder and awe around the world.
