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Update for Sunday, May 12, 2024

The chicks are being left alone in the nest box for extended periods now. On Saturday night, Astrid didn’t come into the box until 10:15 PM. Obviously, the nestlings are now large enough to generate their own heat. They are certainly getting sufficient energy from the many feedings taking place day and night. Indeed, every day they’re looking more like birds and less like bobble-headed snowman. They were even seen preening today. They also have the very beginnings of a fringe of feathers protruding from their tails. Soon they will have their dark masks and pale cheek patches. Their crops were also protruding today – a tangible result of the many feeding sessions. While the parents aren’t inside the box as much now, they remain vigilant nestbox guards – always somewhere close by, ready to defend the nest and its precious contents.

Update for Saturday, May 11, 2024

Ares got his first chance this season to feed one of the chicks. It happened in the mid-afternoon, shortly after Astrid had conducted a meal. Ares picked up some scraps off the floor and began to try to feed one of the nestlings. As usual, it took him a while to get a nestling to look at him and the fact they were full already meant they were more apt to ignore him. As it happened, one of the three decided it could still manage a bite, held its beak agape and aimed it towards Ares. It then received from its father a tiny bit of skin and feathers. After that historic event, he picked at the scrap on his own for a little while and left. Indeed, it was a small meal for a chick, but a highly satisfying one for a father. At least Astrid did not stop him from doing it. Also of interest, one of the chicks gave its first cackle-type alarm calls today. No worries, it was merely a practice call, and the nestling wasn’t actually breaking the glass and pulling the alarm.

Update for Friday, May 10, 2024

Despite the rain and somewhat dismal conditions, Ares came up with 8 meals for the chicks today, thus proving, after all these years, he remains a formidable provider. He did take a break from hunting and retrieving pantry items between about 2:00 and 5:00 AM; that was probably due to heavier rainfall at that time and through the rest of the day. Of course, we are unable to see how much Ares has stored on his pantry ledges on the State Building. Late in the afternoon, Ares came to the east veranda and Astrid followed him over, landing on the crossperch. She scrambled over to him expectantly, but he didn’t have anything for her and dashed off. He returned less than ten minutes later, and this time he had prey. Astrid took it and conducted a feeding. Following the meal, Astrid left and Ares came in to brood. He repeatedly tried to get on top of the heap of nestlings, but he couldn’t manage in. It was a ridiculous scene.

Update for Thursday, May 9, 2024

Today we noted that the nestlings are being left alone in the box more frequently, although not often for intervals exceeding 20 minutes. When they are left almost invariably one of the parents keeps close watch from somewhere in the Canyon. What is interesting to us is that when compared to other seasons, it seems a little early in their development to be left on their own. However, the temperature has been relatively warm, and the chicks are now large enough to generate their own heat. We also began noticing that the nestlings have become slightly ambulatory in the box. They are all staying close together but gradually shuffling from one part of the box to the other. Mostly, they were able to stay out of the sun themselves by moving to the back of the box where there were shadows to hide in.

Update for Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Of course, we are disappointed that egg number one never hatched but, on the bright side, it is rather helpful to have an unhatched egg in the clutch. We can use it as a measuring stick to measure the growth rate of the chicks. Currently, they are growing at a fantastic rate – which is to be expected when they are provided with proper nutrition. At only one-week-old we see that the egg is about the same size as one of the chick’s heads! At one point this afternoon, we watched Ares having a bit of trouble getting on top of all of them to brood them. Indeed, they have become a formidable chick mountain. Even Astrid is having some difficulty keeping them all covered.