Book Review: Wisdom, the Midway Albatross

Wisdom, The Midway Albatross: Surviving the Japanese Tsunami and other Disasters for over 60 Years by Darcy Pattinson and Kitty Harvill (art). Published 2012. As reviewed and pictured: softcover, 32 pages.

It's rather uncommon for an individual wild bird to be so well known that it becomes a media sensation, but that is what happened (again) earlier this month when a very special Laysan Albatross known as Wisdom successfully hatched an egg this breeding season. Why is she so famous? Wisdom was first banded as an adult bird back in 1956 -- making her at least 62 years old in 2013. She is the oldest known living wild bird.

Wisdom has survived all of the threats facing a wild bird in the world today, and then some. She has flown at least 2 million miles during her lifetime. She has probably laid over 35 eggs, raising many chicks to fledge. For the last six years (and likely much longer), she has nested on Midway Atoll. She and her precious chick survived the destructive earthquake-triggered tsunami of 2011.

This remarkable bird is the subject of a wonderful illustrated children's book, Wisdom, the Midway Albatross. The book, subtitled Surviving the Japanese Tsunami and other Disasters for over 60 Years, tells Wisdom's story and spells out many of the man-made and natural threats that she has faced and overcome. Wisdom's remarkable story is accompanied by beautiful watercolor illustrations.