The oldest known seabird lays an egg at 66

The Prince of Wales studies an albatross chick at the Royal Albatross Center at Taiaroa Head in this March 6, 2015, file photo. The Prince was at the center to see the work of the team that are trying to help preserve the endangered species, who nest their every summer to breed on the rocky outcrop overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Over at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, conservationists said a 66-year-old Laysan albatross had just laid an egg, putting her to track to become the oldest breeding wild bird in the world. AFP FILE

WASHINGTON, United States — The world’s oldest known seabird is expecting, officials at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge said Saturday.

The Laysan albatross known as Wisdom — a bird thought to be at least 66 years old — is incubating an egg once again, putting her on track to become the oldest breeding wild bird in the world.

Charlie Pelizza, the US Fish and Wildlife Service project leader at the refuge in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean,  said in a statement that Wisdom has been returning there for six decades.

“The staff was abuzz with the news that Wisdom was back and incubating,” he said.

The bird was first banded in 1956. Since 2006 she has fledged at least nine chicks, and traveled some three million miles over the course of her life.

Her mate, Akeakamai, was seen near their nest site on November 23.

The Midway Atoll National Wildlife Reserve is home to the world’s largest albatross colony.

Park staff had thought Wisdom might take a year off from breeding, as many albatrosses must take time to molt and replenish their plumage.

The birds spend almost 90 percent of their lives flying, traveling thousands of miles every year looking for food.

There’s an estimated 3 million breeding birds year-round at the Midway Atoll refuge. CBB/rga