In spite of a series of raids on their nest, all six kestrel chicks have now hatched safely! This live broadcast was recorded shortly after the third chick hatched and details some fascinating facts about kestrel chicks as they hatch.
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BATTLES ALMOST DESTROY EGGS
It's been a very difficult time for the kestrel family in Sycamore Stump. This nest site is hotly contested and both Mr & Mrs Kes have had to fight off a series of brutal raids from other birds .
INTERVENTION
Following the most brutal battle, in which Mrs Kes was left bloody and exhausted from a fight with a jackdaw that invaded the nest, the eggs were scattered and grew cold after becoming abandoned for three hours. I knew the chicks would not survive and so I went in and re formed the nest scrape and brought the eggs back into a clutch. Watch this dramatic story here: • Kestrel vs Jackdaw - B...
MORE INVASIONS AFTER CHICKS HATCH
After this ordeal it was a relief to see the first and second chick hatch safely. But overnight there was another attack on the nest, this time from a barn owl. Thankfully Mrs Kes was quick to react and managed to evict the owl,. However, barely 20 minutes later the owl was back and the kestrel had to get up the strength to fight again. She is a formidable falcon and quickly grabbed the barn owl by its feet, instantly disabling the owl and twisting it up and out of the nest.
CHICKS AND EGGS SCATTER
Worryingly the two day-old chicks, both very small, and the remaining eggs were flung around during the scuffle. But Mrs Kes quickly gathered them underneath her and sat back down to brood.
SECRET WORLD
My cameras offer a direct view into the secret world of these falcons and it has been amazing to see the chicks tucking in to their first meal within hours of hatching.
CHICKS
When the chicks emerge their feathers are wet from the membrane inside the eggs and they are still pink. Within hours their feathers dry and they become tiny balls of fluff. They are so small Mrs Kes has to be careful not to step on them. Notice how she clenches up her talons so that she doesn't hurt them as she steps over to brood.
EGG SHELL AND MEMBRANCE
Once the eggs hatch the kestrels either clear away the shells, or, more often, the female will eat them to regain nutrients lost during egg laying.
EGG TOOTH
This is a 'horn' on the end of a chicks beak and they use it to chip out of the egg. As the chick's beak develops and hardens it drops off.
EGG YOLK
The chick forms around the egg yolk and this sustains them as they grow and during their first days.
FIRST FEEDS
But almost as soon as they hatch, the chicks' tiny beaks gape and it's time to feed them. Although the male brings in food for his growing brood, he doesn't actually feed them until they are much older. It is the female that tears up the food into tiny morsels and feeds each chick in turn.
MR KES'S LACK OF GRACE
So it was hilarious when on the second day the male, Mr Kes, brought in a woodmouse whole. Mrs Kes wasn't in so he looks about helplessly and then simply dumps the food on top of the day old chicks as if to say, 'Well there you go, dinner!' What a typical male! Thankfully Mrs Kes arrived soon after and took over, gently feeding each chick in turn.
FEEDING TIMES
During these very early days the chicks are fed in order of their hatching, but very quickly feeding times become much more orderly and Mrs Kes lines them up to make sure they each get the same amount.
WATCH LIVE
Tune in to my livestream to watch the action as it unfolds: • Video
#kestrels #chick #robertefuller
I am a British wildlife artist based in Thixendale, North Yorkshire, UK. I build ideal habitats to encourage wildlife into my garden and use nest cams to study their behaviour. These studies inform my paintings. I share the best of my video research on this channel for free. If you would like to support my work please consider a small donation here: www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s...
Or of course you may like to purchase my artwork which you will find on my website: www.robertefuller.com. Many of the paintings are portraits of the creatures you watch here!
© Robert E Fuller
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