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Feeding the Swallow Chicks
Hirundo Neoxena
parent approaches bearing food |
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A parent returns to the nest where the young are patiently awaiting feeding.
As soon as the chicks detect the approach they adopt a side-show-alley-clown-like posture and present their open maws. |
The parent has only a few milliseconds during final approach to make the choice of which chick gets first bite at the prey. |
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which to feed? |
first to be fed |
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A swift choice and the chick furthest from the nest is chosen as the first to be fed. |
This is no way deters the siblings from keeping up a sustained cheeping and beak-open thrust at the parent while the food is deposited deep down the chick's throat. |
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the next in line receives the left-overs |
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On this occassion there is too much for one chick to easily consume, the parent moves on to the next in line who receives the left-overs |
Meanwhile. at another nest a few feet away ....
These chicks haven't ventured out of the nest yet - but the same sequence is carried out.
The final moments of approach appear to be crucial ones for the chicks who expend a lot of energy trying to convince the parent that they are the one most-deserving of the food. final moments of approach |
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No chance of escape |
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The transfer is carried out by docking securely with the chicks mouth - this allows no possibility of escape for the often-still-struggling insect. |
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Continue your exploration of wildlife at Middle Path......
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