These Little “Moss Chicks” Learning to Walk Are the Sweetest Thing You'll Be Inspired by Today
The Wildlife Hospital in Dunedin, New Zealand, is doing some very important work, and a few of its tiniest patients have become instant favorites. The team cares for a wide range of native animals, but the kākāpō chicks, or moss chickens, seem to steal the spotlight every time.
These flightless, nocturnal parrots are rare, endangered, and full of personality, which makes their care feel especially meaningful. Right now, several baby kākāpō are being looked after at the hospital so they can grow stronger before heading back to the wild.
One of them even has a little trouble figuring out how to walk, and the videos of that learning curve are as adorable as they sound.
One of the chicks also has a peculiar problem:
He just needed a little extra help getting the hang of things.
These tiny moss chickens are full of character. The team just recorded several of the ladies learning to walk, and the results are truly lovely.
They are just getting to the age where they are becoming total clowns,” Whyte said. “They are goofy and irresistible. We have one that is really grumpy and sensitive; one that is obsessed with trying to bite the toes of our vets and vet nurses; one that is startled by EVERYTHING, we call him Scooby, which is completely ridiculous; and others that are just generally awkward and wonderful. We will get to know them all personally by the end of their stay with us.”
The chicks at the hospital are currently between the ages of 5 and 8, and they are all learning the skills they will need to thrive in the wild. The staff is ecstatic to work with these adorable little birds and enjoys watching them develop.
Kākāpō, nicknamed moss chickens, are large, flightless, ground-dwelling, nocturnal parrots native to New Zealand.
The little birds are already winning over everyone around them.
This is similar to the camera-captured moment a chameleon hatched, but didn’t even realize it was out.
I can't overstate what a privilege it is to work with these incredibly endangered birds,” Whyte added. “The chicks we've had since they were very tiny are especially rewarding to watch as they get bigger and stronger. We enjoy seeing their personalities emerge or achieving something like not falling over when trying to walk across the pen for the first time.”
There are presently only 199 kākāpō left in the world.
They are learning the skills they need to survive in the wilderness
Around 80% of New Zealand's natural species are threatened with extinction, and the kākāpō is no exception. There are currently only 199 kākāpō left in the world.
However, the team at The Wildlife Hospital in Dunedin is doing everything they can to care for these animals, so the moss chickens should be around for a long time.
These tiny birds are impossible not to root for.
Want another rescue moment, see how a cyclist raced to help a mysterious pink blob on the roadside.
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