Ces says Little Wattle Birds Outstanding

The ever thoughtful Ces of Ces And Her Dishes Part II has done me the honour of selecting my Little Wattle Bird chicks 2007 series for her Outstanding Blog Posts Series Award.

Thank you very, very much Ces. I appreciate it! Id also like to Thank Mr & Mrs Little Wattle birds for making it possible. Heres hoping we get to see thier two young in the garden again soon.

14 days old, Little Wattle Bird chicks

As I thought, there was one in the Macadamia tree, just a few metres from the Banskia that held the nest. Mummy & Daddy were calling from another tree encouraging the chick to have another go at flying, so I reluctantly retreated.

A short time later I was out again, and noted Mummy in the Banksia, making an odd call. I noticed then, a chick on the ground beneath her. Clearly Mummy was calling the chick up off the ground.

Suddenly a Currawong* flew into view and on toward the chick on the ground! I raced toward the endangered chick along with Mommy & Daddy, forming a three point attack. The parents were making thier clacking-bark war cry, while I shouted "No you dont!".

Just as the Currawong was within a foot of the chick, we three defenders were within a metre of our enemy. Discovering himself surrounded, he sharply adjusted his course upward, landing on a railing about four meters over our heads. Clearly he was prepared to wait. So we launched our attack afresh. The parents by air, and I by throwing socks from my laundry basket, till he flew off again. Daddy Wattle Bird chasing him further off than Mummy and I did.

I settled in the shade some metres from the banksia, where Mummy had resumed trying to call the chick up off the ground. Many minutes went by, I assumed the chick was either very tired or just plain scared. So I broke down, I couldnt help myself! I went right up to the chick, its eyes were closed...the poor dear really was just exhausted from the days drama.

So I picked him up, and tried to put him on a branch of the banksia, explaining to him, "You cant just sit there and wait to be eaten, Im not going to hurt you, I want you to hide in the tree with your Mum." Nup, not interested. The chick put out the alarm call and struggled in my hand. Both parents swooped in on me, they didnt peck me, but I could feel the wind from thier wings as they dived at me over and over, giving thier war cry and probably stern criticism for my interference.

Finally the chicks feet took the perch, and I retreated to the shade again. I knew the parents would want thier chick out of that tree, NOW! Sure enough, a few minutes later, chick followed Mummy across the lawn to the gum tree. I sighed with relief - theres a ton of cover on that side of the garden. Chick should be fine there.

Currawongs will take chicks for a snack! See a Currwong over at Bird Anonymous

13 days old, Part 2

At 1pm I checked the nest again, the first chick had fledged.
At 5pm, I found Im now an 'empty nester'.

Good luck little Wattle Bird friends!

13 days old, Part 1

One chick has a look over the edge, and decides to have a think about it first.

12 days old, Little Wattle Bird chicks

I shot from further out for these, and as they didnt flinch I think I avoided making them overly nervous.

But just before I sat down to write this, I observed Mommy & Daddy Wattle Bird above the nest making loud calls. The volume is significant, as up to this point they have always 'spoken' softly to the chicks. I think they are encouraging the chicks to exercise those tender wings, if not outright leave the nest.

So prepare yourselves folks, our little Little Wattle Birds will be leaving the nest soon.

11 days old, Little Wattle Birds

Cramped but cozy. They have reached what I call 'awareness' now. Ive seen this with budgie and finch chicks too, it goes like this: thier eyes open and they are curious about who I am/what Im doing. They almost seem glad to see me - probally because there is little else to do. But one day, you visit and they appear afraid. Suddenly they are 'aware' that youre not a bird and therefore possibly a threat. Either that or Mum or Dad has had a talk with them, LOL!

I will try to shoot from further out from here so I dont stress them. Looking at those beautiful new glossy feathers, it wont be long before they are exercising thier wings!

10 days old, Little Wattle Birds

The last two mornings I observed both chicks preening thier new feathers. Mum Little Wattle Bird returned while I was shooting this pic. She shouted at me from the top of the tree, then when I looked up at her, she flew off and landed on the ground a few metres away. She then hopped around with one wing outstretched and her tail spread, making small sounds. I believe she was pretending to be injured in order to draw me away from the nest, and the small sounds she made were her saying "Oh dear, Im a juicy little wounded bird who cant fly away. Oh dear, that big predator is going to eat me!" As I raised the camera to get a shot this behaviour, she took off like a shot to another tree. What a Momma!

9 days old, Little Wattle Birds

Getting a little crowded in the nest now. I managed to get this shot without running into Angry Dad, lucky me! :)

8 days old, Little Wattle Bird Chicks

Dad Little Wattle Bird came back from foraging while I was shooting the chicks yesterday. I took his pic as I slowly backed away. Its pretty clear he wasnt impressed with me!

7 days old - Little Wattle Bird Chicks

6 days old, Little Wattle Bird Chicks

Eyes are opening!

5 days old, Little Wattle Bird Chicks

We lose alot of details in the pics when making them small enough to load on your screen in a resonable time. So to help you see more detail, the second pic is a larger view of the first. (If you want it bigger, just say the word!)

In the first shot you can see how they are beginning to nicely fill the nest, and that more feathers are poking thru, mostly on the wings so far.

But in the second shot, you can see that feathers are beginning to emerge around the beak of one chick. This same chick appears to also have a bit more beak growth as well. Thier eyes are still closed.

In the third shot is our stalwart Mum, totally non-plussed at my getting this close. And to think just a few months ago, I despaired of ever getting a good shot of her - and now I have a truckload.

Never give up Foks!

4 days old, Little Wattle Bird chicks

Bigger all over, more active and alert...even more adorable looking too!

3 days old

Today we have feathers beginning to emerge on thier tiny wings. The beaks must have had the day off after the amazing growth spurt we saw yesterday. Im looking forward to seeing what these Little Wattle Bird chicks look like today. Mum is stuck to the nest this morning as a cold front has come thru, (after we were all baked alive yesterday), but at some point I will get a look in with the camera for your report tommorrow. See you then!

2 days old

Look at that beak! Im not tricking you here, yesterdays shot is one day old and todays shot is two days old - amazing growth in 24 hours. They wont be in the nest for very long.

It was HOT yesterday, the chicks were panting to cool themselves. Mum and Dad are bringing food in relays, and in between deliveries the chicks sleep. Sleeping conserves thier energy so they can grow faster. A system that obviously works very well!

1 day old Little Wattle Bird chicks

Now officially one day old, they seem to be going strong. It was very hot for a spring day yesterday, and so the parents did not have to sit on the chicks to keep them warm. Here Dad sits just near the nest having a break while Mum had a quick trip to the bird bath.

Just Hatched!! Little Wattle Bird chicks

They hatched sometime yesterday morning, and these shots were taken just before sundown. Both hatched and from what I can see of them, they look great. So this is them at 0 days old. Will keep you posted!!

Take time to lick the roses!

Momma Little Wattle Bird let me get this photo of her licking aphids from the rosebuds! A sweet treat for her, and elegantly served, dont you think?

Her eggs are due to hatch any minute. Tommorrow we will have Budgie Sunday as usual while I continue to stalk the nest.

Nest Watch, sitting day 10

Shes been steadfast for ten days now, only six more till hatching can begin. No luck so far with my attempts to get shots of Mr feeding Mrs, but will try again.


Mrs went out yesterday and visited the bird bath to bathe and stretch, so I had a chance to see the eggs - all appears well there. Will keep you posted!

Nest Watch, long wait begins

Our Little Wattle Bird Mum is officially sitting now. The eggs should hatch about October 14th. During her long wait we will check in periodically, I will keep you posted. Have a great day!