A Common Gallinule chick exploring on his own
May 9, 2022
Common Gallinule Chick On His Own
Tag Archives: Juvenile Bird
Roseate Spoonbill Chicks
These Roseate Spoonbill chicks were about to get fed, and they were ready!
There were at least three chicks, the two in the middle and check out the lower left corner:
The way the adult facing away from us kept poking down below her mate I wondered if there was a fourth chick out of my view.
A little wider view showing more of the palm tree.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 13, 2022
Great Egret Chick Pair, Prequel
After I posted Great Egret Chick Pair yesterday I remembered I had taken some pictures earlier this spring at their nest. They aren’t great images, but I thought interesting as part of yesterday’s story.
On April 29 the adult was laying on the nest, presumable incubating eggs. At that point based on previous years’ outcomes I didn’t have much hope for a productive nest.
Then on May 17th I discovered the chicks had not only hatched but grown enough to be visible.
I’d say a week to ten days old as a guess.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 29 and May 17, 2022
Great Egret Chick Pair
Again this year a pair of Great Egrets attempted to raise a family in a pine bough just off the nature trail at Ravenswood Pond.
Different this year is that they have had success, at least so far. Two years ago the eggs were not viable and last year there were two or three chicks but they did not live long.
Survival rate for chicks is pretty low, and looking at this flimsy nest you can easily identify a few dangers plus they have a number of predators.
In the mean-time, these two have some shade…
and they look well fed.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 10, 2022
Brown Pelican Chicks
Ted and I went on the same guided boat adventure as last year to see the juvenile Pelicans at Bird Key Stono Seabird Sanctuary. This trip was much earlier in the young birds’ lives as they are still in the nests.
These pictures are taken from a bobbing boat; I did learn from last year and upped my shutter speed to 1/1600.
There are thousands of birds on this island right now, and as you might expect there were always some in flight. The parents have to go for food, and swoop in and out constantly.
The chicks are still in the nests, which are collections of sticks/reeds, with the young being protected by an adult from the sun. As you can see in the center top a few are starting to move around.
Laughing Gulls are also nesting here and were flying all over, constantly chattering.
June 1, 2022
Bird Key, not much more than a sandbar, is a barrier island that sits in the mouth of the Stono River, between Kiawah and Folly Islands.
Barred Owl Owlet Pair
The owlet on the right is the one from yesterday’s post. After I took that picture he joined his sibling, and that slight head turn was the closest look I got.
May 17, 2022
Barred Owl Owlet
The establish pair of Barred Owls at Magnolia Plantation had two chicks again this year and so far both have survived. They have moved from the nest area to a small pond where soon they will learn to hunt. This one was a bit more adventurous than the other while I was watching, hopping to his own branch for a look around.
May 17, 2022
Sandhill Crane Family On Walk
The Sandhill Crane family was on a walk when I passed by their marsh area.
The youngster, known as a colt because of their long legs, was curious about his surroundings but didn’t stray far from his parents. I didn’t see any sign that junior had started to fly, which happens around two months of age.
Sandhill Cranes are omnivores, poking around in the swamp and grasses for food.
The parents seemed to be more attentive than when I saw them two days before this.
Orlando Wetlands, Florida
April 12, 2022
Common Gallinule and Chick
Mother Gallinule feeding a chick.
“I can do it!”
Red-shouldered Hawk With Chicks
A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks made their nest in a tree that hangs over the exit road at Magnolia Plantation.
With hundreds of treed acres available to them this seems like an odd choice with cars and pedestrians passing all day long.
That’s a frog leg sticking up by the hawk’s feet, soon to be breakfast for the chicks.
The chicks were ready for their next meal.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 29, 2022