A unique case: the oldest bird in the world laid an egg at the age of 74. Photos and video

The oldest bird in the world, an albatross named Wisdom, laid an egg at the age of 74. Having lost its 60-year-old partner, it has found a new mate.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that Wisdom laid 50-60 eggs in her lifetime. Most of them with her longtime partner Akeakamai, with whom she has been together for 60 years, writes IflScience.

Wisdom was first seen and recorded by biologists after she laid an egg on Midway Atoll in 1956. Since albatrosses do not lay eggs before the age of five, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimated that she was at least 74 years old.

Every November, the albatross population returns to Midway Atoll in the North Pacific to lay eggs, scientists say.

"Every year that Wisdom returns, we learn more about how long seabirds can live and raise chicks," said Dr. Beth Flint, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The return of Wisdom not only inspires bird lovers around the world but also helps researchers better understand how to "protect these graceful seabirds and the habitat they need to survive into the future," scientists say.

According to the researchers, since 2021, they have recorded the disappearance of Akeakamai, and it is likely to have died. Earlier this year, Wisdom was spotted mating with another bird.

"Although albatrosses mate for life, they can find a new mate if necessary. For example, if they outlive their first partner," Dr. Flint said.

Biologist John Plissner emphasized that Wisdom is unique. "We don't know of any other bird that is even close to her age. The next closest one we know of here is 45 years old," he said.

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