Swamp Harrier Visits Albatross Chick While Foraging | July 1, 2025

The #RoyalCam Albatross chick gave a few clacks to a Swamp Harrier that passed by close to the chick. These opportunistic hunters are native to New Zealand and occur throughout the country, and they pose no risk to the albatross. Normally they're seen searching for food by slowly flying near the ground with its large wings held in a distinctive shallow V-shape. They will also search and pursue prey on foot, as seen in this highlight.

Adapted to hunt in open habitats, its numbers have benefitted from widespread forest clearance and the development of agriculture. Although carrion is a major component of the harrier’s diet, it also actively hunts live prey such as small birds, mammals and insects. They are known for their dramatic ‘sky-dancing’ courtship display the Swamp Harrier is the largest of the 16 species of harriers found worldwide.

Learn more about Swamp Harriers at https://www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/swamp-harrier

RoyalCam was set up in January 2016 by the Department of Conservation and the Cornell Lab has been collaborating with DOC since 2019 to bring the cam to life. To learn more while watching, view the cam at

https://www.doc.govt.nz/royalcam

or at

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/albatross

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Royal Cam is a 24-hour live stream of a Northern Royal Albatross nest during the breeding season at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head on the southeast tip of New Zealand's South Island.

The 2024–25 season features male RLK (named for his colored leg bands: Red, Lime, blacK) and female GLG (Green, Lime, Green) nesting at the Signal Station Trig nest site. This is the pair's first season on the Northern Royal Albatross Cam. The fertile egg was laid on November 11, 2024.

https://twitter.com/RoyAlbatrossCam

to get all the updates during what’s sure to be another action-packed season on New Zealand’s South Island.

#birdcams #live #albatross #birds #wildlife #nature #nowplaying #newzealand #endangeredspecies

Видео Swamp Harrier Visits Albatross Chick While Foraging | July 1, 2025 канала Cornell Lab Bird Cams