2024–25 Royal Cam Chick Hatches In New Zealand

The Northern Royal Albatross Cam has a new star chick! After the first “pip” (or break) in the egg was noticed on January 24, the egg was transported to an incubator to complete the multi-day hatching process. The fluffy nestling reunited with the adult male, named RLK, at the Signal Station Trig nest site on January 30 following a successful hatch in the incubator on January 28. Watch the reunion as rangers from the New Zealand Department of Conservation tuck the chick back under the male.

Incubators Help Chicks Stay Healthy

Incubators are just one of several conservation measures that DOC rangers use to help promote nesting success across the breeding colony at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head. Each nest is monitored closely during the onset of the hatching period so that eggs can be transported to an incubator to finish the process. This helps protect hatchlings from being infested with fly larvae, known as “flystrike,” which can be fatal to chicks during this vulnerable stage.

Rangers also place dummy eggs in the nest during hatching to keep the parents happily incubating at the nest site. Additionally, a bird-safe insect repellent is sprayed in the nest to reduce fly activity once the chicks return from hatching.

nest guardians

Now that the chick has hatched, it’s up to the parents to keep it safe and fed. RLK and his mate, GLG, will take turns foraging at sea while the other watches over the nest. This early stage of the nestling period when the adults constantly attend the nest is known as the “guard stage.” As the chick grows older, both adults spend most of their time at sea, returning to land only for brief feeding visits at the nest.

Learn more about what to expect on cam in February, and follow the cam on X/Twitter or Mastodon for daily updates from the nest.