Laysan Albatross chick with a cuddle buddy
Fullscreen capture 492014 13607 PM.bmp
Here is a young adult who has come to visit the chick. Cornell Lab of Ornithology folk speculate this is a pre-breeder with strong parental instincts who is attracted to nestlings, possibly seeing one for the first time since its initial fledge several years ago. "Laysan Albatrosses take a long time to begin breeding. Young birds first return to a breeding colony when they are 3-5 years old. Over the next few years they’ll learn how to court, look for a mate, and begin nesting. Typically, they are not successful until they are 8 (males) or 9 (females) years old." - www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=2681#adults-first
Laysan Albatross chick with a cuddle buddy
Fullscreen capture 492014 13607 PM.bmp
Here is a young adult who has come to visit the chick. Cornell Lab of Ornithology folk speculate this is a pre-breeder with strong parental instincts who is attracted to nestlings, possibly seeing one for the first time since its initial fledge several years ago. "Laysan Albatrosses take a long time to begin breeding. Young birds first return to a breeding colony when they are 3-5 years old. Over the next few years they’ll learn how to court, look for a mate, and begin nesting. Typically, they are not successful until they are 8 (males) or 9 (females) years old." - www.allaboutbirds.org/Page.aspx?pid=2681#adults-first