Royal Albatross ~ Rangers Weigh The Chicks! TF Tells Ranger Colin "NO MORE BASKETS!" 9.17.24

The rangers came by the nests to take the chicks weight today. They go to TFT first and take his weight and then head over to TF chick. You can see how Ranger Colin has to approach TF these days - with trepidation! lol TF goes up in the basket and then when Colin releases him, TF clacks and lunges at him! I can hear TF say "No more baskets!" lol

Well TF may get his wish as they can fledge at any time with the winds blowing in the right direction. TF is 238 days old and came in at 10.4kg! Average fledging age is 240 days. TF did not get weighed last week but the prior week he came in at 9.7kg. For a male toroa at his age, the average weight is 9.2kg. Ranger Sharyn thinks that in addition to the 4 feedings he received from LGK this week, he may have been fed a couple more time out of cam view!

TFT is 230 days old and weighed 9.5kg. He was not weighed last week but the previous week he weighed 9.1kg. The average weight for a male toroa his age is 9.5kg. TFT expelled a bolus this weekend consisting of a bunch of squid beaks along with a small piece of hard plastic. It was found where TFT spends most of his time lately.

There are now 9 chicks that have fledged including Observation Post chick who TFT was cross fostered with during the guard stage! Some of the chicks are walking further from their nest looking for good wind conditions so they can take their first flight! We are blessed to have both TF and TFT for one more day! Thank you for watching!

Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
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Courtesy of Dept of Conservation Royal Cam, Royal Albatross Taiaroa Head, New Zealand

Cam Link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/ro...

DOC official website: https://www.doc.govt.nz/royalcam
Royal Albatross Centre website: https://albatross.org.nz/

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