Life in the nest is good.
Or at least it is, if judged by the reluctance of the young of some bird species to leave it. And why would they ever want to leave? They are comfortable, fed, cleaned, and protected. Yet, there comes a time when offspring must leave and fend for themselves.
How do avian parents get their youngsters to move out? Answer: Stop feeding them.
Four years ago, I wrote about how Ospreys deal with the problem: It’s time you went. This time, the birds are kestrels.
Two weeks ago, this Kestrel nestling lived (apparently) contentedly in its cavity nest in a snag. Juveniles look almost identical to the adult female, but a male chick, such as this one, can be distinguished by the heavier streakiness on the breast.
A week ago, its parents decided it should get out and fly, and apparently stopped feeding it. Hungry and complaining bitterly over this outrageous treatment, the juvenile made it to a nearby branch. There it staged a hissy fit: whining, flapping its wings and even trying to eat the branch.
Repeatedly, each parent would fly past, but did not bring food. This is the father. The apparent message was: You must fly before you get further help from us.
Finally the juvenile Kestrel took to the air, if only to chase his mother. Mother is on the left. The juvenile (stronger breast banding) is on the right bitterly complaining about its dreadful treatment. The poor thing must now learn to live on its own. (Derek Kite photo)
Derek Kite’s photo is used with permission.
Ducks of that ilk
Sometimes a picture is taken merely so as to delight in a whimsical, but obscure, title. It may be that only a canny Scots botanist will get this one.