World's oldest wild bird, Wisdom, welcomes a new grandchick at 70+

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently shared news about a new member of a famous bird family. This new hatchling is the grandchick of Wisdom, the world's oldest known breeding bird. Wisdom is a Laysan albatross.

The agency posted a video showing a fluffy hatchling. It appears to be yawning while sitting in the sand next to a large bird, likely one of its parents. The parent bird gently touches the baby with its long beak.

Wisdom's Family Tree

The video's caption explains that this hatchling belongs to Wisdom's son. This son was born in 2011 and is identified by a red tag labeled "N333." This tag is similar to his mother's famous "Z333" tag.

Wisdom, the grandmother, is over 70 years old. She was alive during President Eisenhower's time. In 2024, she became known as the oldest wild bird to successfully lay an egg. At that time, experts estimated her age to be 74.

About Laysan Albatrosses

The Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) is a large seabird. It has grey and white feathers and long wings. These birds live across the northern Pacific Ocean and mostly eat squid.

Laysan albatrosses usually mate for life. Wisdom found a new mate after her previous one, Akeakamai, disappeared.

The Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is in the middle of the north Pacific Ocean. It hosts the world's largest albatross colony each year. Wisdom still returns to the refuge during nesting season. She was seen there in November 2025.

The video caption notes that hundreds of thousands of Laysan and black-footed albatross chicks are growing on Midway Atoll NWR. Their parents bring them squid. As the chicks get stronger, they will spend more time away from the nest. They will eventually fledge in the summer. Young Laysan albatrosses then spend three to five years at sea before returning to find a mate.

Everyone hopes this adorable grandchick will live as long as its remarkable grandmother.