15 December 2008

Avian update

When I arrived at work this morning, there to greet me was a brand new Crowned Lapwing chick, or for the South Africans a Kiewietjie. It must have been newly hatched, because it was still quite unsteady on its legs. (See For the Birds posted on Friday, 12 December). It wont be winning any beauty contests.


When I came out about an hour later, a second one had arrived and by the evening the chicks were quite mobile. The only problem with the chicks is that it is impossible to photgraph them together, because as soon as anyone arrives, they split up and each one runs to a separate parent.

When I wrote about the Dikkops (Spotted Thick Knees, for the purists), in Pavement Specials on 16 November, I expressed my concern about the survival of the chick. I am happy to report that he, or she, has survived and I often see the family running about in the park at night feeding. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get an up to date picture.
The chick looks just like the adults now, only slightly smaller.

12 comments:

Steve said...

That little chick was so cute! Love your blog!

deedee said...

I love your pictures! come see my blog at deedeesopinionsandlife.blogspot.com!

*** said...

Awwww...so cute and it is quite clever how they split up and run to a different parent for protection, something I have just learnt from you thanks.

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

Well done on "catching" the Kiewiet chics on camera. I'm also glad to hear that the Dikkop chic is doing well.

Anonymous said...

First time on your blog and alredy love it!
Keep it up!

Swubird said...

Love the pictures. You live in a marvelous array of country filled with so a wondrous life.

Happy trails.

Michele said...

I am glad that the chick has survived and is doing well. That is indeed great news! Perhaps one day you will be able to get a photo!
~Michele~

nyakz said...

very nice blog bro.. keep it that way..

myonlyphoto said...

MAx-e oh so cute!
Anna :)

BTW thanks for the update on the visitors count. Appreciated.

KnightOfPeotry said...

awww they are soooo cute. ^_^

Rose said...

Love that baby--I think he/she would win a beauty contest hands down.

Baruch said...

The Kiewiet chick is just the cutest thing ever.