Mature Chick

I am cheering! This Red Tailed Tropicbird chick has managed to stay hidden from the local cats long enough to get all its black bars. This is just for camouflage and will be lost as it matures into adulthood.

Chicks stay on the nest for 12 - 13 weeks. They are left alone while both parents search for food. When the chick leaves the nest it can't fly because it is too heavy. It will float on the ocean for several days to lose weight first.