Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
It's banding day for Āwheo the Northern Royal Albatross!
Rangers with the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) recently fitted Āwheo with a new metal band on his right leg. This band has a unique number and is used to identify him amongst the other chicks in the colony as he moves around prior to fledging. As our field expert, Wildlife Ranger Sharyn Broni, further explains: "the stainless steel band needs to be applied with precision so it does not get caught on anything and injure the bird. Population and age statistics can only be gathered through banding and it also assists with the individual management of breeding birds." These bands also help with identification when the chicks return to Pukekura/Taiaroa Head several years from now.
DOC rangers are highly experienced in handling Northern Royal Albatrosses and are trained to work carefully around the birds to minimize disturbance.
#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
doc.govt.nz/royalcam
or at
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.
The 2025–26 season features an established pair at the Plateau nest site: 11-year-old male WYL (named for his leg bands—White, Yellow, Lime) and 12-year-old female BOK (Blue, Orange, blacK). This duo has been breeding together since 2022, but this is their first season as the featured pair on the Royal Cam. Their initial breeding attempt was unsuccessful; however, their second attempt produced a male chick that successfully fledged in 2024. This year’s fertile egg was laid on November 6, 2025.
Follow the cam at https://x.com/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
It's banding day for Āwheo the Northern Royal Albatross!
Rangers with the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) recently fitted Āwheo with a new metal band on his right leg. This band has a unique number and is used to identify him amongst the other chicks in the colony as he moves around prior to fledging. As our field expert, Wildlife Ranger Sharyn Broni, further explains: "the stainless steel band needs to be applied with precision so it does not get caught on anything and injure the bird. Population and age statistics can only be gathered through banding and it also assists with the individual management of breeding birds." These bands also help with identification when the chicks return to Pukekura/Taiaroa Head several years from now.
DOC rangers are highly experienced in handling Northern Royal Albatrosses and are trained to work carefully around the birds to minimize disturbance.
#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
doc.govt.nz/royalcam
or at
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.
The 2025–26 season features an established pair at the Plateau nest site: 11-year-old male WYL (named for his leg bands—White, Yellow, Lime) and 12-year-old female BOK (Blue, Orange, blacK). This duo has been breeding together since 2022, but this is their first season as the featured pair on the Royal Cam. Their initial breeding attempt was unsuccessful; however, their second attempt produced a male chick that successfully fledged in 2024. This year’s fertile egg was laid on November 6, 2025.
Follow the cam at https://x.com/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
