She's back!! (Laysan albatross Wisdom on Midway Atoll)

[Kris G.]

From the USFWS site:
Picture by Pete Leary/USFWS

She's Back! (December 2, 2011)
On December 1, the world’s oldest Laysan albatross, a female named “Wisdomâ€�, was sighted by a Fish and Wildlife Service biologist for the first time this breeding season nesting on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Having survived the tsunami generated by Japan's earthquakes last March, Wisdom has returned along with her mate. She was observed in her normal location behind the Bravo Barracks and was proudly incubating an egg.  Wisdom is at least 61 years old.  She was banded as a nesting adult in the same location by Chan Robbins in December 1956.  Robbins estimated that the bird was a minimum of 5 years old at the time.  

The oldest albatross in the world appears to be a northern royal albatross which was located on the South Island of New Zealand and was named “Grandma.â€�  She reached a banded age of 51.5 years and probable actual age of 61+ years.

[Dumpsterkitty]

From the USFWS site:
Picture by Pete Leary/USFWS

She's Back! (December 2, 2011)
On December 1, the world’s oldest Laysan albatross, a female named “Wisdomâ€�, was sighted by a Fish and Wildlife Service biologist for the first time this breeding season nesting on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Having survived the tsunami generated by Japan's earthquakes last March, Wisdom has returned along with her mate. She was observed in her normal location behind the Bravo Barracks and was proudly incubating an egg.  Wisdom is at least 61 years old.  She was banded as a nesting adult in the same location by Chan Robbins in December 1956.  Robbins estimated that the bird was a minimum of 5 years old at the time. 

The oldest albatross in the world appears to be a northern royal albatross which was located on the South Island of New Zealand and was named “Grandma.â€�  She reached a banded age of 51.5 years and probable actual age of 61+ years.

WOW!!! 

[Donna]

From the USFWS site:
Picture by Pete Leary/USFWS

She's Back! (December 2, 2011)
On December 1, the world’s oldest Laysan albatross, a female named “Wisdomâ€�, was sighted by a Fish and Wildlife Service biologist for the first time this breeding season nesting on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Having survived the tsunami generated by Japan's earthquakes last March, Wisdom has returned along with her mate. She was observed in her normal location behind the Bravo Barracks and was proudly incubating an egg.  Wisdom is at least 61 years old.  She was banded as a nesting adult in the same location by Chan Robbins in December 1956.  Robbins estimated that the bird was a minimum of 5 years old at the time. 

The oldest albatross in the world appears to be a northern royal albatross which was located on the South Island of New Zealand and was named “Grandma.â€�  She reached a banded age of 51.5 years and probable actual age of 61+ years.

WOW!!! 

Holy Albatross!! That's old...but she looks good!    (for a bird)!

[jeanne]

That is so awesome!!!!!

[MAK]

  She's older than me!!! 

[Carol P.]

She's beautiful!   

[Kris G.]

http://usfwspacific.tumblr.com/post/37132842813/sharing-wisdom-worlds-oldest-bird-teaches-us-about

[MAK]

Amazing! 

[AlisonL]

This is great news! I remember Wisdom from previous years.

Beautiful Wisdom with her chick last year:

[carly]

Wow..she's gorgeous!   

[Donna]

Incredible! 

[Carol P.]

What great news!   

[Bobbie Ireland]

Isn't that amazing! Gives us hope that the Lady of Lowes will grace the Scottish skies next spring too.

[Wing Goose]

She doesn't look that old, but what do I know.
She is really beautiful.  Thank you for sharing.
                       
                                    Lola

[Bird Crazy]

Wow she is beautiful.

You go girl!