Royal Albatross ~ Manaaki & UQ Dual Wingers & Practicing Hovering Skills! ✈️ 😊 9.14.23

Manaaki is practicing his wing exercises on his nest early in the morning when a red billed gull is seen approaching him. The gull looks at HRR and decides to walk around him while eyeing and smelling the food spill from yesterday. Manaaki will head down the hill and will wingercise in sync with UQ chick before heading up to Top Flat and doing it again.
Later in the morning, UQ chick decides it is a great day to practice his hovering and control skills for pre flight training. Manaaki watches him as he does some impressive maneuvers and gets good air. Then, not to be outdone, His Royal Roundness will do his own version of hovering and he lands just below the hill. UQ chick comes back up and does more hovering! HRR also will be seen with some closeups to continue to do more pre flight hovering and then land below the hill. Manaaki remained out of sight for a couple of hours but then made his way back to his royal nest. Maybe tomorrow will be the day he or UQ takes flight. Thank you for watching!
Video captured & edited by Lady Hawk
Please join the official facebook group Royal Cam Albatross Group New Zealand for up to date information on the albatross family and to share information on albatross conservation, photos and comments! / 991026361293354
Courtesy of Dept of Conservation Royal Cam, Royal Albatross Taiaroa Head, New Zealand

[@ladyhawk]

Update Sept 14th 2023 - We do not have confirmation yet on which chick it was that fledged out of cam view on Sept 12th but Quarry chick has not been seen since, neither has YD00 - at least not in view of the cam. The fledging update is postponed until tomorrow due to two chicks that fledged today that ended up in the harbor. The rangers picked them up by boat and brought them safely back to the headland to reattempt their fledge. They were not chicks that had been seen from the cam and have not been posted about previously. I don't have any additional information on them at this time other than they are fine! Manaaki and UQ practiced their hovering skills today in preparation for fledging as well. ♥

[@dohyun5151]

Wow,thank you so much Lady Hawk for the latest update,prayer s for all the chicks,may they be safe and fledge successfully!Hopefully these two chicks will recover soon❤ Manaaski and UQ are practicing hard,they will depart soon🎉🎉 Blessings to all 😇😍

[@carolgreene8757]

Thank goodness they were found and rescued.. You all do a wonderful job.. We all thank you on behalf of them..

[@kawaiipack3063]

Thanks for the updates and info Lady Hawk,we enjoy all your daily videos,appreciate what you had done and always on hand to guide us!😍 Prayers for all birds to be safe and well😇 We love them all,Manaaki and UQ will thrive🎉 God bless🤗😇

[@dianestiner8602]

Yes we have not seen Miss Quarry since a few days 😮. Little UQ is so brave wingercising hard to master his flight💗. Manaaki is still a bit of a dreamer 😊 does not put much energy yet in controling his fenomenal wings. Stay with us Manaaki there is no hurry leave when you feel ready😉🥰

[@SilvanaSouza-wy5rv]

Thank you so much for this update, dear Lady Hawk. I'm so happy that the Rangers rescued the two chicks that fledged and ended up in the harbor. It's so gratifying to know that they were brought back safely to the headland and are doing well. 🙏💞🙏 I hope and pray they have a successful fledge next time soon. 🙏🌱🙏 Oh dear, I can't wait for an update on Miss Quarry and Miss YD00. 🤗🤗 A big thank you to the Rangers for taking such good care of these chicks. ❤️❤️ Thank you so much for keeping us informed and updated, dear friend. 💙💙 Many blessings to you and everybody here. 🌺🌸🤗💙💙🙏

[@combatduckie]

thank god they saved the two albatrosses in the harbor. I guess they are used to finding new fledglings in the water down there every year and save them for re-training...:-))

[@randpresley1666]

It looks like UQ has a good handle with hovering at this point. I hope Manaaki gets more practice before he decides to be brave and go at and crash...

[@type4724]

Good job Manaaki,..practice makes perfect,we are rooting for you! You are spreading those impressive big Wings ..together with UQ ,I believe you guys will hover with flying colors🎉🎉 Time for farewell❤

[@marshmallow3851]

Awesome, love your beautiful comment, hugs❤

[@zayne9188]

​@marshmallow3851 Hi Sophie,always love your support!❤

[@zayne9188]

Hey bro,they are amazing, greetings from Japan 😂 Cheers!🎉

[@bealynn2258]

UQ really HOVERS!!!😊

[@lla1733]

I sure will miss these chicks, I look forward to watching each day to see what skills they have conquered... what exciting places they will go... ( now I sound like doctor Seuss)

[@hellok7877]

The 2 most handsome guys and those fabulous wings 🪽 ❤

[@enricotoesca3941]

Hello fantastic Lady Hawk 🤍🤍🤍🤍

[@Diana-yf1vb]

Bravoo Manaaki and our dear UQ, we have faith in you guys! What an impressive Hover they will both thrive and when the sea calls, time for goodbyes 🎉😢Remember we are so proud of you guys❤ Blessings to Lady Hawk and All abaltrosses fans❤🎉

[@oliverl4150]

Well said Diana❤

[@lukamaximilian6352]

Nice comment Diana,these two Dudes are simply gorgeous with great personalities !:)

[@adreamyday3587]

❤❤❤

[@zakelwe]

"his own version of hovering " .. very diplomatically put Lady Hawk. HRR Manaaki .. chuckle. UQ is so close. Tomorrow must be the day with 25+ mph winds you would think. It would be great if the best buddies could both depart together

[@carolgreene8757]

I thought exactly the same if they could fly together... That would be awesome

[@silvikoitla7550]

Lemmik...katseta..katseta...UQ l on juba lendamise moodi ...tegutsege -tegutsege.!! Tublid !!! Super !

[@quieteagle920]

Looks like it's only the two boys that are left here. Very impressive hovers by them. Won't be long before they take off for the sea! Thanks Lady Hawk.

[@serapmehmet3346]

Well the wingers from Manaaki is coming in thick and Fast!!!! We are blessed with yet Another one of your Amazing Video's Dear Lady Hawk Tysvm God bless you and all Friends ❤❤❤❤🙏💙💕🤗🥰 Happy Thursday everyone ❤❤

[@adreamyday3587]

❤❤❤

[@serapmehmet3346]

@@adreamyday3587 🤗🤗💕Thankyou Adreamyday Dear friend ❤💙🙏🌸

[@antheaglocer4232]

HRR 😂😂

[@seasonsofphilly1993]

How exciting to see Manaaki and UQ practicing their hovering...a beautiful sight! These young Albies are definitely getting ready to take flight. And his Royal Roundness is definitely going to need those powerful wings to soar.

[@ILovePIPLs]

Thank you @Lady Hawk in capturing these precious moments! UQ has had his paddles under and flat at times. I think more so than not. Manaaki is doing very well too. Their developmental growth is wonderful to watch. Thank you again for the time, editing, introductory and uploading the movie! ❤

[@sergei7995]

They'd like to fly. It'll be soon. Manaaki. Let's catch wind! You will be able to fly You need to try one more time. Well done. Thanks for the video. ❤❤❤

[@carolgreene8757]

That was amazing from UQ...be seems to be adjusting height with wing movements.. Manaaki is coming along but seems a bit concerned about the remaining wing fluff.. He looked at it once as if he thought it shouldn't be there, just like the time he nibbled at the same wing when it wouldn't fold up.. UQ is definitely ready to leave.. 🤗😪Happy but sad

[@CuriousCat7]

🎵" I got food, alright, it's my, starlight!" "I need food, all night" "Come fly with me!" *I'm levitating!* 🎶 TYLH! 🥰 Have a blessed day, everyone! 😇🤗💐😻🌹💕

[@bealynn2258]

Lol!! AWESOME!!😅

[@karenparker6644]

lol CC ❤😂

[@adreamyday3587]

❤❤❤

[@CuriousCat7]

@@bealynn2258 Haha! I took a chance with a newer song that I couldn't resist altering with Manaaki's personal lyrics! Lol! 😹 Have a blessed day! 😇🤗🌻😻💕

[@CuriousCat7]

@@adreamyday3587 Hi Dreamy❣️👋 Hope your day will be mightily blessed! 😇🤗💐😻💕

[@hellok7877]

Ah bless them 🙏🏻 ❤.

[@lauralewis3769]

And protect them.🙏

[@SilvanaSouza-wy5rv]

🥰💚🍃 What a wonderful day to practice hovering skills!! 🎶Wheeee!! 💃 Wheeee!!🎶 And Manaaki and UQ chick wasted no time and hoved beautifully several times higher and higher. 💘 Up!! Up!! Paddles up getting ready to fledge and move on. 🙏🐥🆙✈️🙏 It was deeply moving to see them floating and surfing the winds. 🪂🏄 Oh those albie chicks and their huge majestic wings!! Born to fly across the oceans!! 🐣✈️🌊🌎 I confess that I couldn't take my eyes off them until they fell beautifully into a restful sleep at dusk. 👀 Perfectly synchronized too. 🐥🐥 Oh yeah!! Those synchronized wingercises are pure joy to behold. 🤗🤗 Priceless!! God bless them abundantly and watch over them. 🙏🙏 Keep hoving higher and higher and fledge, precious chicks of our hearts. 🙏🙏 Thank you so much for capturing these wonderful highlights and sharing them with us, Lady Hawk. Love and hugs to you and everybody. 🌺💙🫂🥰🥰💕🌬️🌿🐥🐥🍃💕✈️🙏

[@spnkysy791]

Lady Hawk goes far beyond the call to keep followers informed! I appreciate that!

[@antheaglocer4232]

UQ well done you got this. Safe travels. There is a big world out there.

[@손영하-n9r]

Thank you for the video

[@Mlkkwlpn]

Она взлетела как воздушный шар 🎈это так странно, они выглядят тяжёлыми, но так легко висят над землёй на одно месте

[@melindamayes5988]

What an amazing process for these beautiful birds!

[@maude5160]

Those commentors just don't know about the new style of regal hovering do they Manaaki, just ignore them 😁

[@lauralewis3769]

😂

[@bealynn2258]

❤LADY HAWK, A QUESTION PLEASE: , YES as someone else asked, If the ALBATROSS Fledgling lands in tbe Water, can it Float until it flaps its Wings to take off?? Does this happen often??! Fledging ALBATROSS accidentally FLEDGE on strong winds before the are able to sustain FLYING?? 😮 Thank You!!

[@lauralewis3769]

Great question!

[@ladyhawk]

Hello Bea ♥ Yes the albies are designed to float/rest and hunt and fish on the water's surface. One of the risks for the chicks is if they still have a lot of fluffy down on them and they end up in the water, that down becomes soggy and weighs them down and they can have a difficult time getting back in the air. Also most chicks will have very little down by the time they fledge. The chicks stay in the air for extended periods of time and only land on the water to rest and then fish. These two chicks might not have gotten enough lift and height when they fledged and then went down into the water and could not get back in the air. Also, all albatross will be able to flap their wings and sort of run on the water and that is how they get back in the air. Similar to them running on the land and getting lift for take off.

[@lauralewis3769]

@@ladyhawk 💕

[@cheshkat6321]

Thanks for sharing so much knowledge Lady hawk. And thanks to the rangers for being exceptional stewards of these beautiful sea birds.

[@debbiebleege6333]

Manaaki it's so good to see. Thank you Lady Hawk for keeping us updated on our Manaaki and on how the wonderful rangers who helped the other chicks that tried to leave hang in the Manaaki pretty soon it will be you.

[@pesyira]

Wow😍 Just WOW!!!😍 UQ is amazing!😍❤⛅ Great job!👍👏💖 Outstanding hovering😍⛅🌿🌊 Our Manaaki is practicing his hovering also😊😍 He perfectly "flies" toward the Sea 😊🌊⛅👍 and continues his hovering and explorations there😊😍🌿🌱 🌊 Our sweet Albie boys Manaaki and UQ😍❤❤ Sigh..😊 They will fledge soon😊😍❤⛅🌊🌿 Stay safe, our precious Albies😍❤💞 Your amazing wings are strong and huge😍❤💓 Thank you, dear Lady Hawk😍🌊⛅❤💓💞 Be blessed everyone❤❤❤

[@bonnielong7642]

Excited and sad at the same time. ❤️

[@oceanwanderer8065]

It's fantastic to witness these pre flights. From tiny fluff balls now making ready to soar!👏

[@VivaCo18]

They make hovering look easy.❤

[@mariaelenabarboza6137]

Bello Manaaki¡!¡ estas en mi corazón mis ojos se humedecen al verte de nostalgia, pero se que estas siguiendo tu destino Bendiciones hermoso Manaaki❤❤❤❤❤

[@WildWestGal]

Way to go, UQ, a super long hover, and you got those paddles up a number of times for several seconds! And well done to our beautiful Manaaki, fledge day grows ever near. Sad and happy all the same time for us humans.😢🎉

[@LizbetPCB]

UK is holding those paddles up. Pretty good! 💕

[@joanneiarossi6790]

So proud of them 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️❤️❤️

[@mariaparra8025]

😢 so sad handsome precious boy soon flight ✈️ good luck 🍀 🙏and be safe precious Manaaki🙌🌼💚🦢🤍

[@robertboucher8265]

From a distance they look like Jimmy Durante ,hovering lokks like great fun.

[@dskor3526]

Manaaki as he contemptuously looks at the seagull: “Sheesh…is it mosquito season again?!”🤪 Wishing everyone a wonderful day!😊

[@sthomasd]

Manaaki looks beautiful! UQ looks beautiful! Thank you for updates Lady Hawk.

[@kcloveonaleash]

Don't go Manaaki😮. That's my first thought when I read your post @LadyHawk❤. Thank you always for your timely, beautiful updates🙏🎉🪽🪽

[@deannacoleman913]

Thank you Rangers😊 for bringing the albie chicks safely back to land glad they are safe😊 Up UP and away good practice job UQ your so sweet❤❤ thanks LH for this update 🥰 Lady hawk Im thinking these two boys will be fledging by the weekend what do you think🤔🪽🪽

[@frontdesk9161]

It looks like one motivates the other. I am going to miss them!

[@WildWestGal]

Thank you so much, LH, for all the detailed info! God bless those Rangers! I'm so glad the two chicks were brought back without any harm. I've been picturing our Miss Quarry and Miss NTF soaring high, and blessings on YD00 as well, even though we didn't know her!

[@ilonacapkova5295]

Můj krásný Manaaki. Mé štesticko

[@flyfreeqhrt5484]

UQ is hovering for quite a while. I think he will fledge next.

[@sunflowerab3212]

Love this hovering. 😍

[@Peppino-y9h]

🎉😊

[@dianestiner8602]

OMG I think Manaaki has the longest wings on Earth 😮 !. That's why he will take more time to practice till he decides to fledge 😁❤. UQ is so more light seems to float in the airs with his paddles stretched, that's so cute ❤

[@ghostrider7104]

Very cool 🧡

[@greytangel754]

Manaaki is looking particularly trim and fit.. i think only a few days away before he fledges if the wind conditions are right..

[@janicebelleisle4427]

@ Lady hawk, I first started watching eagles with you this January, while home sick, and became hooked. Now to see these beautiful albatross, they are so different in fledging than E21 &22. But it is soooo windy there. How old are they now, and is UQ a sibling. I luv what u do. TY

[@zetribe]

Gulls are big birds but they are tiny next to Manaaki!!

[@schnauzer777]

Landing gear up landing gear down landing gear up landing gear down 😂

[@flyfreeqhrt5484]

So the girls are gone. Now the boys are gearing up. The boys are bigger and weigh more than the girls. I’ll set miss Miss Flirty pants chick. She had personality 😊. I wouldn’t mind Manakki staying a while though. I’m sure he can’t wait to fly though. ❤

[@19Photographer76]

UQ is good but not as heavy as Manaaki.

[@juliechaud]

Thank you so much Lady Hawk, for answering so many of the questions that I too had. I didn't realize that they actually could land on the water and take off from there. I thought that once they fledged they are up in the skies a long time until they come back, but i imagine there is a lot of interaction with the sea because they catch seafood. Is there any documentation of what happens to them after they leave?

[@honesty3440]

Thanks RANGERS! What would happen if the rangers wouldn't save those chicks? 🥲❤️Thank you Lady Hawk! The real life in nature is by far most beautiful and exciting than all movies!!! ❤❤❤

[@honesty3440]

@sherryhodges3773 Let's hope. And possibly they would need a not very steep shore.

[@ladyhawk]

@sherryhodges3773 No the albatross do not and can not paddle to shore. Once an albatross fledges they do not return to land until they are an adult - 5-8 years later. They are designed to spend the majority of their lives flying. That is why the rangers carefully watch each of the 33 chicks fledge to make sure they are air borne and leave the area.