The USFWS reported on X that Wisdom was with a new partner this year and that her previous partner, Akeakamai, had not been seen for several years.
This species usually mates for life, but it is believed to have survived at least three partners.
John Plissner, the sanctuary’s supervising wildlife biologist, told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that Wisdom was one of two to three million Lyson albatrosses that travel to Midway to breed.
He said biologists are not aware of any other birds even close to her age, the oldest being 45 years old.
“It was really great,” he said. “Wisdom seems to interest people all over the world. Every year, we wait with bated breath for her return.”
He said Wisdom still has the energy and instincts to raise another chick and that the egg has a 70-80% chance of hatching.
Albatross parents share the responsibilities of incubation and, once the chick is hatched, feeding.
Wisdom was first identified and labeled in 1956 after the egg was laid. Laysan albatrosses are known not to breed before the age of five.
Midway Atoll is part of the Hawaiian archipelago, but is not part of the US state of Hawaii and is described as an unincorporated territory of the US.
The reserve is home to the largest colony of albatross in the world.
