A Year In The Life Of ʻUaʻu On Kauaʻi

Part III: Chick Emergence to Fledging

‘Ua‘u chicks emerge from their burrows in mid to late October to start exercising. This time period is critical for ‘Ua‘u chicks as they strengthen their wings ready for their first flight out to sea. Fledging peaks in November with the last birds fledging towards the middle of December. They will spend the next few years of life on the open ocean before returning to Kaua‘i to breed.