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Oldest known bird in the wild hatches healthy chick at Midway Atoll

Wisdom’s chick hatches at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge!
Originally published Feb 8, 2016 by USFWS Pacific Region.
PRESS CONTACT: Ann Bell | (808) 954-4814 |  

The oldest known bird in the wild, a Laysan albatross named Wisdom – at least 65 years old – is a mother again at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, part of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The chick was observed still coming out of its shell on February 1, 2016 and days later was named Kūkini, which is a Hawaiian word for messenger. Wisdom’s mate had been on the nest since January 20 when he took over incubation duties while Wisdom headed out to sea.  Wisdom returned just as the Super Bowl ended yesterday with her belly full.  …

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Wisdom’s Legacy Survives!

We have been curious about the welfare of Wisdom’s 2012 chick. We know that she has returned to Midway, but what of her chick?  This just in from Pete Leary, the USFWS Refuge biologist on Midway:
“We didn’t get Wisdom’s chick banded in 2012 because it kicked off its temporary band, and then we could never be sure of which chick it was.  The chicks were at the wandering stage and there weren’t any that consistently went to that nesting spot.  However, none of the chicks died in that little area, so we are pretty confident that it fledged.  Look on the bright side, now there’s a hopeful possibility that any Laysan albatross you see could be Wisdom’s chick.”
And, on another but related note, look who’s feeding their 2013 chick on Midway! …

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