Wisdom can be seen here checking on her newly laid egg. Photo credit: Greg Joder

In these two photos, Wisdom can be seen incubating her egg. Photo credit: Daniel W. Clark/USFWS

At approximately 63 years old, Wisdom, is the world’s oldest known, banded, wild bird. In these photos, we can see Wisdom just after she laid her newest egg. Wisdom returns to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial each year to nest and raise her chicks.

Laysan albatrosses mate for life and Wisdom has raised between 30 to 35 chicks since being banded in 1956 at an estimated age of 5. Laying only one egg per year, a breeding albatross will spend a tiring 365 days incubating and raising a chick.

The Refuge and Memorial is home to 70% of the world’s Laysan albatross and is the largest colony of multiple albatross species in the world!

For more information on this amazing long-lived matriarch of the seabird world go to:http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Midway_Atoll/Whats_New_Wisdom.html

Read about Wisdom reuniting with her mate this year

Read about Wisdom’s return last year

WATCH Wisdom lay her egg!!

Read more about Wisdom

See more photos of Wisdom

Learn more about Laysan albatross on Midway

Learn more about the Pacific Region