BirdNote Daily Long-lived Wisdom, the Albatross
Feb 27, 2025
Discover the incredible journey of a Laysan Albatross named Wisdom, who has defied the odds for over 60 years. Banding in 1956 marked the beginning of her story, and she’s now the oldest known wild bird at 74. Wisdom has successfully raised around 30 chicks, navigating numerous challenges along the way. Her remarkable resilience has garnered her a global fanbase, celebrating her recent egg-laying adventures. Tune in to learn about the life of this extraordinary bird and the lessons she teaches us about endurance and survival.
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Parallel Anniversaries: BirdNote And Wisdom
- BirdNote celebrates its 20th anniversary alongside the story of Wisdom, who is at least 74 years old.
- The comparison highlights how human projects and individual animals can both mark long spans of time meaningfully.
Chandler Robbins' Rediscovered Bird
- Chandler Robbins banded Laysan albatrosses on Midway Atoll in 1956 and later recognized one bird he had banded decades earlier.
- Researchers named that long-lived female Wisdom and began monitoring her exceptional life history.
Extraordinary Longevity Among Albatrosses
- Wisdom the Laysan albatross shows that individual seabirds can live and reproduce for many decades in the wild.
- Scientists and the public follow her story as a rare example of extreme longevity and reproductive persistence.