Clutch 3 Continues to Grow and Learn In the Ways of the World

                                                         Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 2

                                                           Green Heron Chick, Clutch 3

                                                            Green Heron Chick, Clutch 3

                                                                           Ditto

 
                                                                          Ditto

                                                                            Ditto

                                                                             Ditto

                                                       Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 2

                                                                             Ditto

                                                             First Summer Green Heron
                                                               One of Last Year's Birds

                                                   Green Heron Chick, Clutch 3 (Top Left)
                                                              First Summer Green Heron

                                                           Green Heron Chick, Clutch 3

                                                             First Summer Green Heron
                                                                Feeding Clutch 3 Birds
        

                                                             First Summer Green Heron

                                                                             Ditto

                                                                            Ditto

                                                                            Ditto

                                                                          Ditto

                                                                          Ditto

                                                          Green Heron Chick, Clutch 3

                                                                          Ditto


Saturday, 07-09-16

75-87 degrees F/0702-1030 hrs./cloudy/12 mph ESE winds/57% RH

Having looked over the better part of the photos for all clutches, it has been determined that
the adult male with orange legs sired clutches 1 and 2, and the first summer male sired clutch 3.
The first summer male has been getting a tinge of orange in his legs, which differentiates him
from the adult.  Therefore, it is only sensible that the full adult sired the first two clutches, being the only one that was sexually mature.

This first summer bird has received guidance from the older male on parenting and I have photos
of them together, no doubt giving the younger bird advice on what to do.   Genetics also plays a part to a certain degree, but a good role model helps in the development of the younger birds.

I am also making a flagrant assumption that both females are again sitting own nests, and I do have
evidence that another nest was being built in this tree.  Additionally, it appears that the right hand
tree, with this being the center tree, may also have the makings of a nest.  Green Herons do not appear to use the same nest twice, most likely due to parasites, which is common with all birds.

It makes sense that clutch 3 emerged as early as it did with a new parent, and these chicks were
also raring to go.  As originally noted, it was difficult to hold them back and block their egress from the tree, as the more the older birds held them back, the less willing they were to comply.

Also of important note here, once the young parent fed his chicks through regurgitation, which is a common feeding practice, especially with the heron family, he needed a period of time to rest.  Time lapse in these photos was a good fifteen minutes for him to recharge and go about his business once again, which was additional feedings.  Chicks are rough on the bird that feeds them, as they grab the bill and twist, so with the three birds in this clutch, there was quite a bit of abuse, though not intentional.