Oldest Wild Bird in the World Lays Egg in Hawaii

The Associated Press has reported an amazing discovery by scientists. The oldest wild bird in the world, a 74-year-old female Laysan Albatross named Wisdom, has laid an egg at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in the Pacific Ocean. This is her first egg in four years. Experts expect the egg to successfully hatch in the near future.

According to scientists, this is already the 60th egg that Wisdom has laid in her long life. In total, she has raised about 30 chicks. She has been nesting in the reserve since 2006, in the company of a male named Akeakamai. However, scientists haven't seen him for several years. They believe that Wisdom has started to interact with another male.

Laysan Albatrosses mate for life and lay one egg each year. Typically, both parents take turns incubating the egg for about seven months. The chicks fledge about five to six months after hatching. They spend most of their lives flying over the ocean and feeding on squid eggs and fish.

The average lifespan of a Laysan Albatross is 68 years. This species is considered near threatened.