New year, new diet for takahe¯ chick
The new year means the end of baby food and the beginning of real food for one Wellington youngster.
A rare takahe¯ chick is coming off mashed food and on to bird pellets in a move celebrated by its human guardians at Zealandia ecosanctuary.
While the eight-week-old bird was still dependent on its parents for feeding, it was beginning to show signs of independence, a spokeswoman said.
‘‘The chick is starting to be seen venturing further away from them, pulling grass and picking about.’’
The bird hatched in November to takahe¯ parents Nio and Orbell, who were transferred to Zealandia from Mana Island in 2017. The birds are aged 14 and 18 respectively, near the end of their breeding age.
Following the hatching, Zealandia’s conservation manager Dr Danielle Shanahan said the chick was extremely vulnerable and rangers were doing all they could to improve its chance of survival.
Public access to the takahe¯ wetland area was closed, and volunteers prepared supplementary food to help the takahe¯ parents provide the best nutrition for the chick.
A spokeswoman said the end of the ‘‘baby food’’ was a good sign.
‘‘That is pretty exciting news, and marks a big step in our management and its life.’’
Banding and a health check will take place next month.