Wisdom the Laysan albatross was banded at Midway Atoll in 1956 - already an adult. She is now at least 74 years old, the oldest known wild bird on Earth, and she laid an egg and hatched a chick in early 2025. Biologists estimate she has fledged around 30 chicks in her lifetime. The scientist who banded her, Chandler Robbins, died in 2017 at age 98. She is still going.
The Bird Who Outlived Her Biologist
Somewhere on Midway Atoll, a bird named Wisdom is doing what she has done for at least seven decades: tending her nest and defying every expectation we have ever had about how long a wild animal can live.
Banded by a Legend, Outlived Him Too
In 1956, ornithologist Chandler Robbins of the USGS placed a small metal band on the leg of a Laysan albatross at Midway Atoll. She was already an adult - at least 5 years old, the minimum breeding age for the species. He called her #Z333 and moved on.
Robbins had a remarkable career of his own, working in bird conservation for over seven decades and earning recognition as a leading figure in American ornithology. He died on March 20, 2017, at age 98.
Wisdom is still alive. She is now at least 74 years old, making her the oldest known banded wild bird in recorded history.
She Keeps Coming Back
Every November, Wisdom returns to the same patch of ground on Midway Atoll. In late November 2024, she reunited with her current mate, banded EX25, and laid an egg. That egg hatched on January 30, 2025.
Biologists at the US Fish and Wildlife Service have been watching her every season for nearly 70 years.
Over her lifetime, biologists estimate Wisdom has laid between 50 and 60 eggs and fledged around 30 chicks.
One of her sons, banded N333, has been documented nesting near her - making Wisdom a grandmother as well.
What She Has Seen
Wisdom has flown an estimated 3.7 million miles since her first banding - roughly seven round trips to the moon.
She has raised chicks during the Eisenhower administration, the Apollo missions, and the rise of the internet. Laysan albatrosses typically live into their mid-40s. Wisdom has lapped them nearly twice.
Why She Matters
Albatrosses face threats from longline fishing, plastic ingestion, and rising sea levels at low-lying atolls like Midway. Wisdom is not just a record-holder - she is a living argument for protecting the places where wild animals live extraordinary lives.
The man who first found her is gone. She is still going.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Verified Fact
Verified Jun 21, 2026
Source: MongabayShow verification details
Claims checked
- Core claim (Laysan albatross, banded 1956 at Midway Atoll as adult)
- Age at least 74 (now approximately 75)
- Oldest known wild bird
- Hatched chick Jan 30 2025
- 2025 chick did NOT survive (died before Nov 2025)
- Around 30 chicks fledged
- 50-60 eggs
- 3.7 million miles + seven round trips to moon
- Chandler Robbins died March 20 2017 at age 98
- Son banded N333 nesting near Wisdom (grandmother claim)
- Nov 2025 return with mate EX25