Royal Albatross Chick Practices Taking Off Down The Runway In New Zealand | DOC | Cornell Lab

As the winds pick up across the headland in New Zealand on August 28, the Top Flat chick uses the opportunity to practice the skills he'll need for fledging. Watch the nestling unfold his giant wings and scoot down the bluff as if to use it as a runway for taking off. Eventually, he decides practice is over and taxis back to his gate. As the chicks near their first flights, we'll see them test their wings against the wind and may even observe extended bouts of hovering. RoyalCam was set up in January 2016 by the Department of Conservation and the Cornell Lab has been collaborating with DOC since 2019 to bring the cam to life. To learn more while watching, view the cam at https://www.doc.govt.nz/royalcam or at https://www.allaboutbirds.org/albatross ******************************* Royal Cam is a 24-hour live stream of a Northern Royal Albatross nest during the breeding season at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head on the southeast tip of New Zealand's South Island. This season (2023–24) features two nests in view. At the main site to the left of the frame, male LGK (named for his colored leg band combination: Lime/Green/Black) and female LGL (Lime/Green/Lime) return to the Top Flat nest site, where they are caring for a single egg laid on November 7. Nearby to the right, male WYL (White/Yellow/Lime) and female BOK (Blue/Orange/Black) have been tending to their egg since it was laid on November 14 at the Top Track Flat site. This site is currently obscured by tall grass, which will die down and open up the view as the season progresses.   / royalbatrosscam   to get all the updates during what’s sure to be another action-packed season on New Zealand’s South Island. #birdcams #live #albatross #birds #wildlife #nature #nowplaying #newzealand #endangeredspecies