Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Department of Conservation (DOC) Rangers at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head approach a very feisty Northern Royal Albatross chick for his regular weigh-in. This check revealed that Āwheo has dropped a little weight, but our partners at the DOC report that he is doing well with regular feeds from both parents and is still one of the heaviest chicks in the colony at ~23 pounds (10.4 kg). The next weigh day will be July 21.
These regular weigh-ins help track the development of the chick and ensure that he remains at a healthy weight. Rangers are experienced at handling albatross and are trained to move carefully around the birds to minimize any negative reactions.
#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
The Department of Conservation (DOC) Rangers at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head approach a very feisty Northern Royal Albatross chick for his regular weigh-in. This check revealed that Āwheo has dropped a little weight, but our partners at the DOC report that he is doing well with regular feeds from both parents and is still one of the heaviest chicks in the colony at ~23 pounds (10.4 kg). The next weigh day will be July 21.
These regular weigh-ins help track the development of the chick and ensure that he remains at a healthy weight. Rangers are experienced at handling albatross and are trained to move carefully around the birds to minimize any negative reactions.
#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
