There was a cool story on NPR this afternoon (yes, I listen to a liberal radio station; I'm really not that bad once you get to know...ok maybe that's going too far) about Wisdom, a Laysan Albatross and the oldest known wild bird, hatching a chick at the ripe old age of sixty-two. She was banded back in 1956, and she was estimated to be already five years old at the time.
Sixty-two! That's a good twenty years longer than the average Laysan Albatross lifespan. Not only that, but this is actually the sixth year in a row that she's hatched a brood. This momma's got a lot of survival knowledge to share with her chicks, along with plenty of street smarts, bargain shopping tips too, and romantic advice too. With a pinch of luck, they'll live to be 150!
Here's a Link to the full story, from which this photo is also taken.
I heard about this story this week too...such a fascinating story!
ReplyDeleteAssuming maturity and breeding in her subsequent offspring every 4 years, she could also be something like a great great great great great great great great great great great great great great grandmother.
DeleteWhat an amazing bird.
ReplyDeleteYup, she sure makes me feel like an under-achieving sack of sad.
DeleteAlthough a conservative myself, I find that NPR is much more fair and balanced than the networks that claims it. I think the TV networks are more biased one way or the other than the radio.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Wisdom, AMAZING! Older than my parents.
Older than mine too Robert. I haven't found an unbiassed media station, but I like NPR for the other ancillary stories--like this one--one which they do an excellent job both compiling and presenting the information, and there aren't any really annoying commercials!!
DeleteThis is one super bird, congrats, Wisdom!
ReplyDeletePretty cool bird. I'm not planning on having any more kids when I'm 62!
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kisses!
Emilia
Amazing! No doctor needed to help this bird out:) I also listen to NPR....I just wish they'd play more stuff on birds like this article than on the politics!
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