LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Two of the world’s oldest known common loons have returned to Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, rekindling hopes they might pair up again after three years apart.

The male, known as ABJ, is 38. The female, Fe, estimated to be between 42 and 47, holds the title of the oldest documented common loon on record. Together, they’ve hatched 32 chicks since first nesting at Seney in 1997—more than any other known loon pair.

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“This doesn’t necessarily mean the pair has called it quits for good,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said in a recent post. “There have been multiple instances of pairs on the refuge reuniting several years after a split.”

Both birds were identified by leg bands placed during earlier tracking efforts, according to The Detroit News. ABJ arrived at the refuge weeks ago. Fe followed in late April, federal officials confirmed on April 29th.

Despite their long history, the pair has not mated since 2021, when both loons chose different partners. Whether they’ll reunite this summer remains uncertain as most loons do not mate for life.