My ' Pterodactyl' like chicks

[whoop whoop]

I thought you all might like to see these babies as they are endangered here and I feel very privileged to have been part of the three month process it took for mum to lay and hatch her eggs.

She had four babies in all, and as each one came to maturity they left the nest and she went with to teach them the 'ropes' while father took care of the others.

When it came time for the fourth chick to leave the nest, he simply would not go. He would sit for days on the edge looking down and saying 'its too far, I'm scared',you could see on his face. Mother tried everything to shift him/her (actually must be a him, we all know what males are like, no offense meant). Eventually she had had enough and just bumped it off. Poor 'little' thing fluttered to the ground. My hubby called me as he saw the whole thing and I went dashing out to help. Yarp as it is now known flew right up on to my shoulder and snuggled up almost saying 'my mum hates me, protect me'. Mother by now was frantic so I put Yarp in with the chickens to keep it safe from predators and mother flew in to help.

Anyway needless to say Yarp has never quite made it on his own and still doesn't fly particularly well as has stayed close to me, much to mothers chagrin.

Here is Yarp with mum having evenning snack at my back door







YARP

 

[Teila]

Aaaw Yarp is adorable! How lovely for you to have been able to witness him growing up.

What breed of bird is he please? Also, I wonder where “here” is that they are endangered?

PS: No offense taken; I have a 28 year old that I have not been able to push out of the nest

Just a thought, not knowing where you are, I have no idea about your local bird life but I would be a little concerned about putting a wild bird in with my chickens, just because of the chance of disease transfer or lice/mites etc.

We have a lot of birds around here and while I enjoy them very much, I also try very hard to discourage them from socialising with my gals.

We had a bush turkey visit one day and he bought along a few hangers on in the form of mites and left a few as a reminder.

 

[whoop whoop]

Here is the dark continent!

South Africa, the Rainbow Nation - Yarp is a HADEDA OR IBIS. I know wild birds are full of diseases but they don't seem to bother my girls too much I did have a set back a few weeks ago but think it was more to building their new house than disease. Here is another picture ,of the 'go away' bird with its baby feeding from my rather tatty bird table and mother stuffing herself. Also thought you might like to see Bart he is a mongoose and is quite a predator but very sweet I feed him shop bought eggs all he can manage so he stays away from my girls. Pics for you











Here are my girlsplus roo 'Henry'

 

[Teila]

Ah, OK, we have Ibis here in Aus also but they do not look quite the same.

Beautiful pictures! The one of the mother bird with her beak full of grapes is a good one.

Wow at the mongoose … it looks like he and your local bird life are very spoiled.

You girls and Henry are beautiful … are they bantam?

I have a Bantam Cochin, Cilla, looks just like your gal:

 

[whoop whoop]

Gosh, yours looks just like my Molly - yes they are Bantams but not sure what type paid a few bucks for them from a breeder.though. Incidentally I have two 28 yr olds which I can't get rid of either!!! Still 'home is where the heart is' and the food, and the washing etc!!!

Having a wild turkey visit sounds exciting did you catch him for dinner? Are you in winter now? like us - I always spoil my birds in winter because it is so dry there is no food for them and they all look so miserable mostly feed pawpaw and bananas as they are so cheap. Trying desparately to grow my own pawpaws but its gets too cold up in Jo'burg. I have got over 600 photos of all my birds bit fanantical - I am aboslutely sure there is a bird telegraph which says food available at my house, because I have had birds come who shouldn't really be here.

These are my favourite ones and watched them also rear their babies = hope your not sick of my photos!!


Theses are crested barbets and really amazing snake catchers, they are quite vicious, but have beautfiful markings






These are red collard barbets and every Sunday without fail Mr Barbet takes Mrs out for breakfast!!



These are Black Caps and are the sweetest birds they follow me when Im gardening in the hope of a tasty snack

 

[drumstick diva]

Found this thread due to curiosity about the title, loved the photos and narration, so now here to stay. Love this thread - please keep it up.

 

[whoop whoop]

Just wanted to say have done a video of my weaver 'under confused weaver' thread. I am so techno challenged its not funny, it came out all wrong but son fixed its quite cute. I have played all day and neglected everything Henry is going ballistic, the dogs thermal and the cats well what can I say cats will be cats so have to stop and feed everyone, where does time go when you are having fun.....

 

[drumstick diva]

techno challenged, everyone has tried to teach me to put up photos. Five years and I'm not getting any closer. I can't do links for others, can't do quotes,can't "cut and paste," whatever that is. Have to wait for someone to come over and do things for me and they are not real fond of doing so , more like

What BYC really needs is a low tech thread for dinosaurs like me. No teaching, no preaching, no homework - just for people trying to express themselves without special features.

 

[whoop whoop]

Couldn't agree more, would quote you but don't know how!!! Its absolutley frightenning how quick my kids are on their phones,if I 'whats up' my daughter to ask if she will be home for dinner, I get six messages back just as I sent mine which took me ages to type in and my son when he shows me how to do stuff on the computer goes so fast and says 'got that mum' and of course not wanting to look an idiot say 'yes of course'. I spent ages looking for the 'any key button'!!!!

 

[whoop whoop]

Just wanted to ask you what you feed your gals. I have been through to feeding forum and tried everything anyone says, but mine are so fussy - are yours? Is it a bantam thing? We get 'growing mash' laying mash' and chick chick fine which is just corn. My do like fresh corn and pak choy but that's about it. I have planted and planted every green veg under the planet but not interested,

Also completely off the topic but we do like Masterchef Australia, but will George please stop shaking!! all your food looks so fresh and vibrant, no wonder you are all such good cooks. I must say that I never agree with who wins though my favourites always go out - still its a great programme.