The world's oldest bird just hatched another baby!
Honolulu, Hawaii - At the incredible age of 70, Wisdom the Laysan albatross has hatched another baby!
Wisdom is so old, she's long earned herself the title of the "oldest known wild bird in history." She has even outlived the legendary ornithologist Chandler Robbins, who first banded her back in 1956.
Wisdom gave birth to the chick on February 1 in the Midway Atoll national wildlife refuge in the North Pacific, near Hawaii, according to the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
The Midway Atoll is home to the world's largest colony of albatrosses, with millions of birds taking off and nesting on the reservoir every year.
Wisdom’s long-term mate, Akeakamai, fathered their newborn. The two lovebirds go way back to at least 2012 when they first laid eyes on each other.
How do birds fall in love, you ask? According to the USFWS, albatrosses get turned on through "dance parties." And after a pair chooses each other as rhythmic dance partners, they usually bond for life.
However, the USFWS assumes that the long-lived Wisdom has had her fair share of mates before Akeakamai.
"Though albatross mate for life, they may find new partners if necessary – for example if they outlive their first mate," said Wildlife Service biologist Dr. Beth Flint.
Over the course of her lifetime, the 70-year-old supermom has hatched more than 30 chicks.
Wisdom's species is in danger
The USFWS lists the lifespan of an albatross as 12 to 40 years, but Wisdom’s long life and productivity defy the odds year after year.
However, these seabirds are endangered, as climate change, including the fishing industry, has taken a toll on the species.
"Each year that Wisdom returns, we learn more about how long seabirds can live and raise chicks," said Beth Flint.
"Her return not only inspires bird lovers everywhere, but helps us better understand how we can protect these graceful seabirds and the habitat they need to survive into the future."
Cover photo: Twitter/@USFWSPacific/Jon Brack/Friends of Midway Atoll NWR