These two chicks are older than the four from last night’s post, where I described how the adult regurgitates the food. It’s a little weird the second time you see it, too. These chicks were a bigger target for me and I had a much better vantage point to see the feeding action.
Some feathers are starting to grow on the chicks’ necks, making them look more appealing and bird-like.
Anhinga can swallow very large fish, much bigger than their heads. You can see here the flexibility of their jaw.
The adult only fed the one chick then moved out of their reach.
5/10/2018
Wow. That is pretty amazing to see in photos and must have been even more incredible to see in person.When I think of all of the elaborate preparations that we go through to feed babies, it is astounding that birds and animals are able to do so in the wild.
One of those things you can’t quite believe that’s how they do that! I know, Mike, I sometimes marvel that any of these young survive.
Pretty great collection of photos! It must be a real joy to watch them grow up!
Thanks! It is quite a privilege to be able to see and photograph them from egg to fledgling.
Another excellent series Ellen. I do hope the other chick was fed soon after.
Thanks, Belinda! I bet the one that didn’t get fed is the most aggressive the next time food shows up! My next post is the unfed trying to get food from the fed chick, but I don’t know if it worked.
Super shots, Ellen!
Thanks, Pete! I saw it happen again today and it is still amazing to see.
Excellent follow-up post, awesome shots and series! I am glad to see some feather fur on their necks in this post. I kept looking at your last post’s photos and really thought how weird the naked necks looked! 🙂
Thanks, Donna, I’m happy that you liked it! I suppose no feathers means its easier to reach down the adult’s throat and not cause injury, but that will be coming to an end soon.