Baby Bird Update

They get so BIG.

The first picture is mom and the kids yesterday (Tuesday).  We know it's mom, because you'll note that she has a deformity, a scissor beak, that doesn't stop her from being able to feed the chicks.  But we wonder how she feeds HERSELF.

And below, the ten-day olds, posing this morning (Wednesday) with dad.  You'd be that big that fast, too, if your parents kept force-feeding you a high-protein shake.

 

Comments

[Jennifer Genest]

Wow! They DID get big, fast! A scissor beak. Poor Momma -- but it certainly doesn't seem to hinder her in any way! I love reading about animals that co-parent. Great photos -- I feel like I'm part of the experience. xoj

[Anna]

What's really funny is, the baby birds look wily, entitled, and slightly pissed off, whereas the parent's are going, "HUH?"

Which means, I guess, that the animal kingdom is the same everywhere.

[Kaaren & Richard]

Hi Jennifer,

Maybe that scissor beak helps her cut up her regurgitated food into baby-size bites. You should see those "babies" today. They are nearly as big as Mom and Dad. We're moved by their teamwork too. Predators don't get much of a glimpse of the babies until they're old enough to flee. Just like you and Chris and Clara.

Love,

Kaaren & Richard

[Kaaren]

Anna,

And I'll bet you wish you could do it all over again! ("Huh?") Child-rearing I mean, not being a teenager.

You're right--there ARE some parallels among the animal and human kingdoms. But animals create less stupidity.

Love,

Kaaren & Richard