A photo journey from the egg until fledgling

Two out of four green wing macaw eggs pipped too early in the nest and were retrieved for assisted hatching. What follows is a fascinating struggle to the first breath of life, assisted by delicate human intervention.

Candling of the eggs revealed the extent of the malpositioning.

Careful intervention opening the egg, with small tweezers.

Frequent hydration of the membrane and placement of chick in the aqua brooder contributed to a successful hatch.

Remnant egg yolk membrane was tied with dental floss and then cut to aid the detachment process.

A diluted iodine solution was applied to umbilicus.

Assisted hatched chicks developing normally at 10 days of age.

Chick at 5 weeks of age with growing feathers.

Chicks were placed together with parent raised clutch mates at the fledgling age.

By: Josee Bermingham AHT
Photo credits: Robert Rondou