...and the parents were feeding frenetically to still the hungry cries.
A constant rush for the parents flying around and searching for food, and this is the nest of the Southern Double-collared Sunbirds (Cinnyris Chalybeus).
No, we don't feed the parents this time, as we allowed nature to take its own course. But in saying this there is ample food available, in nectar flowers and insects. As in the past seasons, I will continue to keep an eye on the nest, and I think that in the next few days that baby will emerge from the nest, and I will get it on camera to share with you.
For now, let's just enjoy the feeding sights.
For two weeks, in the severest of storms, she sat on that nest, a really brave little bird. You can imagine how the strong winds flipped that little lemon tree around, but still she sat it out.
In-between feeding the baby, the father fought off predator birds and we saw a pair of Shrikes hanging around that the father attacked.
Another two feeding shots below.
And here the mom was clearing out the furniture inside the nest, to compensate for the baby's growth.
Flying off with the soft stuff to drop it far away from the nest. Amazingly, she knew that if she drops it near the nest, predators will see it and it would alert them to search for the nest.
Here the father was taking a bit of a rest.
And there mommy was taking a break by smelling the flowers.
A puzzling picture, as we were a bit confused about this last picture. At first glance, it seems that that is a very big baby as you can see the two big eyes behind the beak in the background. I hope that it was not a very big baby, as cuckoos like to drop their eggs into the nests of little birds. But a closer look shows that there are two tiny eyes at the top rim of the beak, and so I hope that that was only the small baby. Time will tell.
Mother nature is full of surprises, and fortunately I have unraveled some of them, as it took me a long time to find this nest. One would never expect to find a nest in a small lemon tree, especially in a busy area, as there is a constant movement by the waiters to serve clients sitting around on the outside terrace. Some of the clients even have their pet dogs with them, but none of the clients or the animals spotted the nest. Methinks that the sunbirds deliberately built their nest here, knowing that predator birds don't like to hang around in places where there is a human presence. Another bonus, for the little birds, is that clients don't bring their cats here, due to the dogs of the other visitors always being around.
So they are very clever little birds.
I hope you have enjoyed the pictures and the story.
Photos by Zac Smith-All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon PowershotSX70HS Bridge camera.
Thank you kindly for supporting this post.
Birds suss out a spot before building this couple actually clever, most people don't notice the trees with small nests.
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Amazing how they know to build the nest with its back to the north, where our rains come from. and they also know how to hide their nests from predators.
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Instinctively know where to hide their nests which is amazing.
So true!
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Interesting story and beautiful bird portraits. At first I thought the green head was his enemy, but it turned out his father was very handsome.
Very beautiful bird picture my friend
Thank you, and the green bird was indeed the baby's father.
!PIZZA
Perfect natural appearance
Thank you!
Amazing nature indeed!
How they manage to build those nests and nurture the little chicks, is a miracle! And to have weathered the Cape storms as well!
Birds hold a special place in my heart, and although Poe my adopted feline 'grandson' has left them alone, he's suddenly up to his tricks again!
Blessings to you and Marian, my friend, I'm sure you cannot wait for summer to show up!
Thank you, milady, and I have to agree with you that the ways of nature's wild residents create many miracles. Imagine a storm strength wind whipping that little lemon tree around, and yet, the small nest remains intact with the little mother inside it sitting on her eggs.
Maybe you must keep a close eye on Poe's doings !LOLZ
Blessings also to you and the sons, and today we had our first warm day, so spring is around the corner.
!PIZZA and !LUV
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Nature is both fascinating and amazing. You took some great shots!
Thank you for the compliment Eric, and nature is indeed fascinating.
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BEER.Great Pictures, the male sunbird is so beautiful.
Thank you and yes, the male is very handsome. !LOLZ