A Tiny Reason to Celebrate on Midway Atoll

Published on

March 10, 2017

Written by

Sara

Photo credit

Sara

Wisdom the Laysan Albatross, the world’s oldest known bird producing offspring in the wild, has recently hatched yet another chick on Midway Atoll.

Laysan Albatross flock to the wildlife refuge on Midway Atoll every year to nest. Among them is Wisdom, who shocks the world by hatching young well into old age. Each year, her visit to Midway is widely celebrated. She is a beacon of hope for an atoll that has suffered extensive ecological destruction. She has recently hatched yet another chick, to everyone’s delight.

island conservation wisdom laysan albatross nest attentive mother
Wisdom is a very attentive mother. Credit: Naomi Blinick/USFWS

Wisdom, aged at least 66 years old, is estimated to have hatched between 30 and 35 chicks in her lifetime. She and her mate Akeakamai, whose name means “Love of Wisdom” took turns incubating the egg this nesting season. Now they take turns caring for the chick and leaving the nest to retrieve food. The process takes close to seven months.

island conservation wisdom laysan albatross nest
Wisdom and her new chick. Credit: Naomi Blinick/USFWS

Source: Hawaii News Now
Featured photo: Wisdom and chick. Credit: Naomi Blinick/USFWS 

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