It’s such a privilege to be involved in the life of baby birds. A pair of native Wonga pigeons have been providing my husband Rob and I with this delightful opportunity over a number of years. They live in our Blue Mountains garden, and are as much the owners of the property as we are. A failed, out of season nesting this winter had been preceeded by the hatching of a single chick. To our amazement the couple came together again on their regular love-making bench.
And so my vigil began, through rain, wild winds, snow and frost. The gallery of our new house was the perfect observation post, at eye level with their nest in a giant conifer.
TWINS!
Finally, two little heads appeared. Unfortunately the snow had brought down a lot of twigs, making it impossible to get clear shots.
When it starts to rain during feeding it’s ‘Quick my darlings, under my skirt!’
September 8 – One parent off for a break, the other settling onto the nest. Note the little chick snuggled under the parental beak. It will be fed now.
The chicks are growing so quickly. The one pictured below now has all its feathers. The parents are changing shift every hour or so as feeding is ramped up.
In a few days the chicks will be brought down to a ground nursery, where they will continue to be fed for several weeks. I hope they choose a safe spot, where they won’t be found by marauding foxes!
September 11 – That nest is just too full. Down you come!
By the way, Wongas are great entertainers and are also surprisingly agile. Click here for a matinee performance of FEATHERED FOLLIES.
Congratulations!
Do the twins have names?
Not yet, it’s difficult as the names have to be gender neutral.