Fall, over anxious feeder

[1jlw]

This is the second time it's fallen out of the nest. I've noticed that
now that the two squabs have gotten bigger and have now
almost outgrown the nest that they are really almost fighting
to get fed. In their anxiousness while the mother is feeding one,
they get overly excited in trying to reach the mother or father's
mouth more, that they loose all control (flapping and circling
around the small nest). As a result, this time, one has fallen again
(five flights down) . He seems to be okay and the parents seem to
keep watch on him as they do the other.

I'm wondering now if I should rescue him again or is this all part of
his growning and learning to fly? The parents still feed the one
in the nest but I'm not sure about the other. Any suggestions?

I'm really annoyed as it seems he would have learned from
the last fall. This is too nerve racking for me because I fear
for his safety constantly confused. I was afraid this was going to happen and
As soon as I woke up, I peered into the nest and he was gone.
I am not going to let them nest here again. I feel like a mother
with a two year old left home alone (wire haired and frazzled).

[pdpbison]

Hi 1jlw,



Yahhhh..these things happen, sometimes even when there is a large nesting platform, the Youngsters just get so wound-up one of them can fall.


There is no such thing as 'learning to fly'...or practically speaking, there is only the progress of their musculature and development of strength generally which culminates in flight or in stages of progress of 'better' flights. Once strong enough, the 'learn; very very fast as far as the rest of it is concerned.

Experience with falling has no contribution to this.


The only thing I can think of, is that if you can get to the Nest site/platform...make it a little larger, and make it to have a three inch vertical lip all around.

Even build one from scratch, line it with some disused Carpet or somehting little feet can grip decently...and substitute it for their present one, or add it on top of a cleaned off verison of their present one...and this would help prevent youngsters from falling in their excitements.


Otherwise, for now, just keep putting the fallen one back into his Nest, and hope for the best, that he does not get any serious injurys from his mis-haps...and soon, his Wing Muscles will be strong enough for him to be Flying, or flying well enough to not 'fall' anymore anyway.

Look him over well, to make sure he is not hurt...


Let us know?

Good luck..!


Phil
Las Vegas

[1jlw]

thanks Phil. And all others answering this thread.

I guess I will rescue him again. I hate to see him down there not
knowing what to do .

Do you think they go down to feed him at all ? I know they know
he's down there.

[pdpbison]

...too dangerous for him down there, even if they did try and fly down and feed him...too dangerous for them too, to do that...

Phil
Las Vegas