Story: Petrels

Giant petrel fledgling

Giant petrel fledgling

This northern giant petrel chick in the Auckland Islands has lost most of its down and will soon fledge, at the age of about 112 days. The wings of petrel chicks grow more rapidly in the later stages of development, and pre-fledglings exercise their wings to prepare for their first take-off.

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Photograph by Christina Troup

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How to cite this page:

Kerry-Jayne Wilson, 'Petrels - Breeding', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/8579/giant-petrel-fledgling (accessed 16 April 2024)

Story by Kerry-Jayne Wilson, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015