Getting Ready to Fly??

 May 5, 2022

The first nest I observed and wrote about here is the Great Blue Heron, which started with 2 chicks but is now down to 1. Although it's hard to tell, it seems to be around 2 months after hatching, and that is the typical time for a first flight. So far, I've seen no indication of an interest on the chick's part, but it could happen at any time!



Other nests are becoming more visible now as well. Last week, Little Blue Herons were observed in a nest in a closer Mangrove. There are 3 chicks there, and from a different angle I recently saw a second next in this vicinity (this with a single chick).


I have seen several feedings by the parents, in both nests. These "Little Blues" will develop blueish-gray mottled patches as they mature, when they start flying they will be easy to mistake for a Snowy Egret due to their white color when they fledge. In about 1.5 - 2 years they will take on the blue of the adults.




So, why 3 chicks in one nest, and only a single chick in the other? I've found a lot of numbers floating around, but it seems that 3-5 eggs are typical in the nest - BUT, they don't all hatch at the same time. There can be a day or more lagtime between different eggs hatching. The earlier hatchers have a huge advantage over the newbies. Even a day or two gives them a huge advantage in survivability because they're stronger and able to grab more food. These seabirds eat from regurgitated food deposited on the nest floor by the adults (ie: no preferential feeding), so the first born gain an early size advantage and are strong enough to keep it by eating more. In one study done, it was observed that 73% of the nestlings died in their first 10 days of life. 63% of those that died were the last to hatch. Sadly then, starvation is the primary cause of death, followed by falling out of the nest for older nestlings who are venturing out in preparation to fly. Only around 25% of chicks survive their first year. It's a tough world out there.

Other nests have become partially visible as well over the past week. There are 2 Anhinga nests close to each other, as well as a Great White Egret seen sitting on a nest (no chicks seen as yet...) . There's a lot to watch right now!





                                                                                                                                                     

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