Fledge Watch: Albatross Chicks Begin Flight Preparations

Watch the Northern Royal Albatross chick from the Top Flat nest give his wings a workout as fledging approaches. The chicks flap their wings and hold them open against the wind as a way to strengthen their flight muscles. We’ve also seen the chicks begin hovering as high-speed winds blow across the headland where the albatross breed on New Zealand’s Otago Peninsula. These preparations ensure the gigantic nestlings will be ready when it’s time to embark on their first flights out to sea.

Northern Royal Albatrosses typically fledge during the month of September when they reach around 7.5 months old. According to the New Zealand Department of Conservation, the average age at fledging is 240 days, but the age at fledge can vary widely from 219 to 256 days. As of September 12, both the Top Flat chick (233 days old) and the Top Flat Track chick (225 days old) are within the fledging window. This means that either chick could fledge at any point if blustering winds sweep across the headland and create favorable conditions for flight.

Make sure to watch for these milestone moments LIVE on the Northern Royal Albatross Cam, and follow daily updates on Twitter/X @RoyalAlbatrossCam.