Ever wonder how albatross feed their chicks? Parents catch and swallow fish, fish eggs, and squid at sea, and then fly back to their nest where their hungry chick awaits. Nestlings then nibble at their parent’s bill, and the adult regurgitates stomach oil and contents into the chick's throat. Such a yummy lunch! Albatross parents will feed their chicks for about five months, visiting once or twice each week. Support our work protecting albatross by purchasing an albatross shirt here: https://www.bonfire.com/org/pacific-rim-conservation-inc-262905658/ (fb)

We are thrilled to announce a huge milestone - in 2024, the first wild Ka'upu (Black-footed albatross) chick fledged from the Main Hawaiian Islands in over 400 years! The ka'upu chick, E999, raised by a pair of translocated ka'upu, V434 and V666, marks a huge success for seabird conservation. Both V434 and V666 were translocated as chicks from Midway Atoll NWR to James Campbell NWR, where they were hand-fed fish slurry by PRC’s Aviculturist Robby Kohley and a specially trained team of staff, interns, and volunteers. After fledging, surviving to adulthood, and spending five years at sea, V434 and V666 returned to the refuge, successfully paired, and fledged a chick in their first-ever breeding season in 2023-2024! From 2017 to 2021, our team translocated 102 Black-footed Albatross chicks from Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument to James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge. This work is part of a larger initiative to establish new breeding colonies of vulnerable seabird species that are safe from sea-level rise. By building mammalian exclusion fences, removing invasive predators, and socially attracting and/or translocating birds into these protected areas, we can create safe, higher elevation refugia for ground nesting seabirds. Want to celebrate with us? 🥳 Join us TOMORROW (5/24) from 12-6pm at Honolulu Beerworks in Kalihi for "The Bird is the Word", to learn about seabird conservation efforts and try the Kahuku Ka'upu IPA, a limited edition beer that was brewed for the birds! A portion of Kahuku Ka'upu sales will benefit the Friends of O'ahu National Wildlife Refuges. (fb)