Since I photographed my Robin's eggs (Cape Robin-chat - Cossypha caffra), on the 24th September 2015, I've been keeping track of Mrs. Robin as she sits on the eggs, and early this morning I noticed her carrying titbits of minced meat that I put on the feeding table and small insects to the nest and what do I find? Two TINY little babies! I only managed these two not-so-good shots, I don't want to interfere too much, but as she was away for a couple of moments, I took the chance.I am utterly and totally thrilled because, although they have already reared a few broods in my garden, this is the first time I've caught sight of the tiny babies!
As I moved some of the foliage to get a better view, one of the babies felt movement and opened its mouth wide, expecting some food, but I wasn't quick enough to capture that.
A cropped version of the pic just above
Egg-laying season is from about June-January, peaking around October-November. It lays 2-3 eggs, which are incubated solely by the female for about 14-19 days. The female broods the chicks throughout the night and intermittently through the day, for the first 5-11 days of their lives. They are fed by both parents, eventually leaving the nest at about 14-18 days old, remaining dependent on their parents for about 5-7 weeks more.
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Geluk Ouma!! Hope they grow up into beautiful birds like their parents! Very interesting post!
ReplyDeleteThank you Liz, I'm excited beyond words!
DeleteThat is brilliant Maree. Fingers crossed that all continues to go well for them.
ReplyDeleteThank you John, fingers crossed here as well!
DeleteHow very exciting, you will be able to watch that busy mother bird feeding the babies and see them grow really fast. Your feeding tray will be such a big help to the Mother bird not sure whether the Father bird helps or not.
ReplyDeleteIt is terribly exciting Glennis! The father starts helping when the babies are about a week old and they've both been terribly busy keeping up with those appetites!
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