We are happy to announce Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird of at least 75 years old, made her celebrated return this week for the 2026 nesting season. Each year, millions of seabirds sweep back across the Pacific to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, filling the islands with sound, movement, and new life. Thanks to support from FOMA donors and members, you can now see and hear it all on our live cam.
Her arrival is more than a yearly milestone; it’s a living testament to longevity, resilience, and the extraordinary life cycles of the Mōlī (Laysan albatross).
A Legacy That Began in 1956
Wisdom’s documented story spans nearly seven decades. She was first seen and banded in 1956, after she had already laid an egg—meaning she was at least five years old at the time, the earliest age this species is known to breed. Since then, she has returned to Midway Atoll year after year, through eras of environmental change and conservation progress.
Biologists estimate that Wisdom has:
- Laid between 50–60 eggs
- Successfully fledged as many as 30 chicks in her lifetime
For a seabird that produces just one egg per year, this is an extraordinary contribution to future generations of mōlī.
Her Mate Returns!
This year’s return marks a slightly earlier arrival for Wisdom compared to recent seasons. Refuge staff are delighted to announce her mate has arrived on November 26! He is banded as EX25 and does not have a name as of today. Although Wisdom is not on our live camera, we are so excited to see a potential egg in the near future.
Wisdom continues to be an active mother when conditions are favorable. Last year, despite her astonishing age, she successfully laid an egg late in the season. Unfortunately, this chick did not fledge, as not all eggs will survive to fledging every year.
The reproductive strategy of the albatross is a lifetime dedicated to ensuring that a few offspring eventually return to Midway to nest and reproduce on their own. Biologists were excited to find Wisdom's son, who carries the band N333, successfully nesting a few hundred yards from Wisdom in previous years.
Help Us Protect the Next 75 Years of Wisdom’s Legacy
Wisdom is more than an individual legend—she is an ambassador for the entire ecosystem of Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll). Her story highlights the importance of long-term conservation. Friends of Midway Atoll is thrilled to announce a 3-to-1 Match to fund our critical annual albatross census and drone research project closing out 2025! Immediately triple your impact by unlocking $75,000 to reach our goal of $100,000 for our critical annual census and the 2nd year of the drone research project. Your donation is the key to ensuring we continue to protect these magnificent birds!
Mahalo for being part of the FOMA ʻohana (family) and continuing to support the conservation efforts on Kuaihelani.
Article by Krystal Winn