Baby Tuis

November 20, 2011

Researchers from Tawharanui Regional Park brought in a nest of abandoned tui chicks to us on Friday. The parents hadn’t been seen at the nest for a couple of days, and the chicks were weak and dehydrated. One was so bad she could barely lift her head to be fed, and I wasn’t sure they would both make it. However, with feeds of nectar and protein every 2 hours, they are both now strong and vibrant. Every time we take the towel off the top of their nesting box, they spring up like little jack-in-the-boxes, flapping their wings and opening their elastic mouths as wide as they can. At this age they’re gangly and seem to be all mouth, but the photo below shows you what they’ll soon grow up to be…