Watch rangers from the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) arrive to weigh the two Royal Cam chicks on May 14.

According to DOC, the Top Flat chick (left) is 112 days old and weighed in at 17.4 lb (7.9 kg). This is the third week in a row that Top Flat chick has had the same weight. Last week, he was fed by the female (named LGL) after his weigh in, so he would have weighed more following the feed. The average male weight for a 112dayold nestling is 17.9 lb (8.1 kg) so 17.4 lb (7.9 kg) is not of concern this week. The adult male (LGK) came in for a feeding visit after this weight check, and the female (LGL) has been visiting the chick regularly again this week. Weight fluctuations in Northern Royal Albatross chicks are normal.

The Top Flat Track chick (right) is 104 days old and weighed in at 16.5 lb (7.5 kg). The average weight of a male chick at this age is 17 lb (7.7) kg. Both parents have been in regularly to feed the Top Flat Track chick, so his weight is not a concern this week.

The heaviest chick measured in the colony was 22 lb (10 kg).

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

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Royal Cam is a 24hour 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.

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to get all the updates during what’s sure to be another actionpacked season on New Zealand’s South Island.

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