Baby birds…
Oct 15th, 2007 by Duncan
or what a difference eleven days makes. On the second of October I mentioned the two baby Red Wattlebirds, out of the nest, safely tucked away in the upper foliage of the Yellow Gum, and being the recipients of an endless supply of food from their parents. Eleven days later I photographed one of them in the callistemon near the birdbath, now flying strongly and starting to probe the developing flowers for nectar. It was still being fed, but those days are rapidly coming to an end as it becomes fully independent in the next week or so. In the picture you can see a little of the yellow gape remaining, and the beginnings of the red wattle that gives the species its name. Click to enlarge.
I also mentioned recently that I’d just about finished with orchids for a while, well no, I went out with some like minded souls on Sunday and we found a bonanza. One of the species was the Common Bird Orchid, Chiloglottis valida, the flowers look for all the world like a baby bird begging for food.
Baby birds of all species are cool. I enjoy watching them in thier amateur attempts to feed or hunt. Luckily mother nature is forgiving most of the time when they are young.
Right on Dave, they have to learn quickly and it can be fun observing them.