Feature:
It's a Miracle! Wisdom Lays an Egg at Age 67
“Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, has once again returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge & Battle of Midway National Memorial & has laid an egg. The approximately 67-year-old flies thousands of miles every year before returning to the Midway Atoll…
“Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, has once again returned to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge & Battle of Midway National Memorial & has laid an egg. The approximately 67-year-old flies thousands of miles every year before returning to the Midway Atoll…
U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) refuge staff recognized Wisdom, the world’s
oldest known breeding bird, along with her mate Akeakamai, in late November; On
Dec. 13 they spotted Akeakamai sitting on a nest, incubating an egg.
Midway
Atoll is part of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, located at the
far northern end of the Hawaiian archipelago.
One of
the oldest atoll formations in the world, it provides grounds for more than 3
million seabirds to nest & raise their young, including 70% of the world’s
Laysan albatross population. According to the USFWS, it is also home to nearly
40% of Black-footed albatross, as well as Short-tailed albatross & at least
20 other species of seabirds.
But
Wisdom is special.
In 1956
Chandler Robbins banded Wisdom, whom he guessed was about 6 years old. Little
did he know that 61 years later, that albatross, now known as the oldest
seabird in the world, would be expecting another baby. She’s been coming back
to the same nest every year. Over the course of these years, it’s estimated that
she’s logged an incredible 6 million miles of flight time.
The
average lifespan of her species, the Layman albatross, is between 12 & 40
years, so it’s amazing that she’s still alive & even more impressive that
she is still breeding.
These
birds are equally responsible for raising their young & they form long-term
partnerships. They lay only one egg per year, so each one is special to their
parents. According to the USFWS, Wisdom & her partner have raised at least
8 chicks since 2006 & she has raised as many as 40 during her long life.
This
year the USFW reports that Wisdom’s mate Akeakamai took the first shift on the
nest while Wisdom went to look for food.
…they
will swap places. And after the egg hatches, the 2 parents will share equally
in the rearing & feeding of their chick.
…Nature
is truly amazing!”
Judy M.
Dec.
30/ 2017
Care2.com
Cute Critter Pic
Weekly Chuckle
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