wiseness the Laysanalbatross , the world ’s oldest known bird , returned to her breeding earth on November 24 to find that her spouse of 60 years was not there wait for her . Typically , male return to the nesting sites earlier than female . This is now the second year in a row that her mate has not been there to greet her , increasing suspicions that he may have passed away .
wiseness is at least 71 yr former , and these royal birds almost never breed until the years of 5 . The oldest violent bird on phonograph record was first banded by biologist Chandler Robbins on December 10 , 1956 , on the Midway Atoll when she already had place an egg . Her contribution to skill and the conservation of her species is priceless : it is estimated that she has put down between 30 - 36 eggs in her life , as these mollymawk typically breed every other year . Wisdom was even recorded put an egg at theage of 70 .
“ Each year that Wisdom returns , we learn more about how long seabirds can live and enhance chicks , ” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service life scientist Dr Beth Flintin a argument last yr . “Her replication not only inspires bird devotee everywhere , but helps us better empathise how we can protect these elegant sea bird and the home ground they need to pull through into the future . ”
Wisdom (right) and her mate Akeakamai (left) seen in 2015. Image Credit: Dan Clark/USFWS
These albatrosses render to the Midway Atoll in Novemberto dance withand chance a mate , and the orchis are laid in early December . They then have a 65 - dayincubation geological period , with most chicks hatching in January or February of the following year . Akeakamai , Wisdom ’s mate , has not been seen on the Midway Atoll for the last two training time of year .
The Midway Atoll is a vitally authoritative habitat for albatrosses and jillion of other sea bird , but the menace face this metal money are only turn . The threat of climate variety has led more black - browedalbatross to divorce , while one inauspicious shuttle died after try toeat a shark . Whatever has happened to Akeakamai , his legacy will go forward through the lives of his and Wisdom ’s numerous chick .
