Kaka Chicks (eggs to fluff)

Kaka Chicks - the early days - from eggs to fluff

Follow the development over the coming weeks, of the first kaka chicks to hatch in the Wellington region for perhaps 100 years. The next stages: from fluff to feathers, less fluff - more feathers, feathers to flying, out of the nest

Last spring six captive-bred kaka, two male and four female, were released in the Sanctuary thanks to a generous gift from the W.N. Pharazyn Charitable Trust who sponsored the release programme. Three were from Auckland Zoo and three from Hamilton Zoo. All were young birds, the Auckland birds nearly one year old and the Hamilton birds almost two years old.

		The breeding pair of young adult kaka. The female is puffed up to attract attention and food from her mate. He provides her with food throughout incubation of the eggs and during chick rearing. The female is one year old and this is her first clutch. It is a larger than average clutch size - remarkable for her age.
Breeding pair note walnut in male's beak
		Eggs were laid 2-3 days apart between 28 December 2002 and 8 January 2003. Only the female incubates the eggs that will usually hatch several days apart.
16 Jan 2003
		Two chicks have hatched since the nest was checked the day before, and another is in the process of hatching. The two remaining eggs will not hatch for several more days.
2 chicks hatched, 1 hatching, 2 eggs 23 Jan 2003
The 4th chick probably hatched on the 26th January so is 3 days younger than the other three. The last egg hatched on the 28th January.
		4 chicks hatched, 1 egg 27 Jan 2003
		5 chicks. See how they face inwards with heads supported by other chicks - probably the largest oldest head is at the top of the pile, ready to stretch up and receive food first.
5 chicks hatched, 30 Jan 2003

80 gm chick, 8 days old, 30 Jan 2003		13 gm chick, 3 days old, 30 Jan 2003
On the 30th January one of the 8 day old chicks weighed in at 80gm. Note eyes still closed.		The youngest chick, only hatched 3 days before, is much smaller and lighter, weighing only 13 gm.

		The nest photographed on 5th Feb shows 4 healthy chicks, all still facing inwards but heads up. The youngest is still alive but not visible and unable to compete with its larger siblings for food.
5 chicks, 5 Feb 2003
To the left is the largest chick. Notice the changes in colour and down feathers in just 6 days. This chick (14 days old) now weighs 200 gm and has its eyes open. (Compare photo at 26 days)
		Largest chick, 200gm, 5 Feb 2003
On 6 Feb, the smallest chick dies. In the wild, with large clutches like this one, the youngest usually die as they are unable to compete with older siblings. This is a strategy, where food supplies are variable, to ensure that at least the strongest and oldest chicks make it. The other four chicks are doing well. More photos to come. Please check regularly for the next instalments: from fluff to feathers, less fluff - more feathers, feathers to flying, out of the nest