Hummingbird Chicks Update 5 – Here Come the Beaks

Hummingbird Chicks- Update 4

The feathers are coming but they still look like porcupines. The mother has been very diligent at keeping them warm but with feathers we should see some big changes coming quickly.

Image

Looking for It’s Next Meal- Piliated Woodpecker

Another Mother – Robin

This robin has a nest in a bay laurel tree right near our front porch. She has been busy collecting worms but I haven’t heard the chicks yet. The robins have a tough time in the laurel. Last year an owl raided the nest and in previous years squirrels have killed the chicks. With so many owls around this year we’re not seeing as many squirrels and the robins are keeping things very low key when the owls are close by. Hopefully this year we’ll have a successful result.

When I zoomed in on what was in the robin’s beak I saw that the worm had been cut into 1/2 inch pieces – much easier to distribute to all the chicks.

Hummingbird Chicks – Update 3

Well, they are growing but definitely not at the cute and cuddly stage yet.

Another Update – Two Hummingbird Chicks

Not much to look at yet but both hatched. The mother now sits on the edge of the nest. One of the interesting things about hummingbird nest is that they make them using spider web. Not only does it make the nest very strong but it also stretches and expands as the chicks grow.

First Hummingbird Chick

I checked the hummingbird’s nest this morning and found a freshly hatched chick. It was a little difficult getting a good photo due to an anxious mother and poor lighting but I’ll keep trying.

Catching Some Rays

Though this robin may look like it has had a bit too much to drink it is actually suntanning. They can often be seen in sunny spots in the garden or lawn, stretched out wings, trying to capture the sun’s warmth.

Barred Owl Brunch

We have had Barred Owls nesting near our house for many years now. This year they nested particularily close so we have had many oppotunities to watch their two chicks grow. Today one of the parents dropped off a garter snake for lunch. We have seen quite a few snakes going by in owl talens so not a good time for them!