Natal Robin Chicks of Zululand Tree Lodge:

With summer well on its way, babies seem to be popping up everywhere. The newest arrivals to join the ever growing Ubizane family are a pair of Natal Robin chicks.

This is a striking bird, with its bright orange under part, slate-blue wings and delicate twig-like legs. The well manicured garden of Zululand Tree Lodge often provides tasty nibbles for this energetic bird, or in this case a secure nest to raise its chicks in. 

Natal Robin with some tasty treats for her hungry chicks 

By chance one morning the front office staff noticed a carefully constructed nest huddled in between an Aloe at the front of Reception. To their amazement when they ambled closer to get a better look, 2 rather fragile chicks raised their shaky heads and gaped for food. 

Tree Aloe where the nest was built 

The Natal Robin generally breeds from September right through to January, but breeding tends to peaks in November. After a joint effort of constructing a nest which consists of mainly twigs, dry grass and dead leaves; 2 eggs are laid and are incubated solely by the female for 14 -15 days. 

Hungry mouths being fed 

Tracking their progress daily the entire Ubizane Wildlife Reserve’s team was truly amazed at the rapid rate at which the chicks grew, and after around 11 to 12 days one of the chicks had already left the nest. A close eye was kept on the lone chick, as it plucks up enough courage to leave the comfort zone of the nest. A heartwarming moment was shared amongst all at Ubizane, as the last chick finally left the nest for good, and ventured out into the great big world. 

Eyes just starting to open 

Wing Feather beginning to sprout

The nest was too small for both of them at 1 stage!

Last of the 2 chicks getting ready to leave the nest