[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ost songbirds have short lives.  Typically, those in the wild live only about eight months before dying or being killed.  It’s a tough old world.

But some birds, particularly those in remote locations with few predators, live much longer.  Take the wandering albatross, it can easily reach 40 years of age.  And one banded albatross which soared around the cold seas of Antarctica was 80 years old.  In fact, some birds outlive their bands which either wear out or come ...