Thursday, September 5, 2013

Polygyny update...

Another short post. I am sitting at one of the nests that belongs to the fellow who produced six chicks at two nests. When I arrived there were no ospreys here (or near his other nest). I waited. Finally the banded male showed up with a fresh, flopping bullhead. He perched and waited. No chicks showed up. He took a few bites of the head, and then he waited, looking all around. Still no juveniles. After about 15 minutes, he took off in the direction of the other nest. Less than two minutes later I heard the distinctive whining calls for food that a youngster makes, as he came flying in to the nest. But he had a fish! Not the same fish tho...different species and this one appears to be dry and stiff. Did he catch it himself? He is on the nest finishing it. He is the youngest of the chicks from this nest...seemed to almost be a runt at the beginning. He is doing well and has become a handsome male. Now he has finished his crusty fish tail and is moving sticks on the nest...finally flies off in the same direction that Dad went. Maybe he can hustle some of that bullhead! Yum. As I drove down the road I found one of his siblings perched in a tree, full crop, quiet. So Dad is still around, watching over the kids. For those of you who were worried...all is well, they will be fed or they will catch food when they really need it. Still fun to watch these behaviors.

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