By Lisa Hamker, Visitor Centre Ranger at Paparoa National Park.
Last month I shared a photo of one of our newest, cutest, and fluffiest additions here on the West Coast — a one month old Westland black petrel chick in its burrow just south of Punakaiki.
One month later and look what the fluffy petrel chick has turned into!
The fluffy Westland black petrel has grown up
Like all children, this one grew up very fast, and has turned into an almost adult looking Westland black petrel. He has kept his handsome smile though, as well as some fluff on his belly.
His parents fed him well but, when he got too chubby to fit through the tunnel to get out of the burrow, they left him to get back into fighting fit shape for his next big adventure — flying practice!
Flying practice involves jumping off a cliff, launching into the air and, most of the time, a not so graceful crash landing. Good luck petrel, we’ve got our fingers crossed for you!
Thanks to Bruce Stuart-Menteath from Paparoa Nature Tours for the photograph.
