The Anhingas completed their nest on June 21. Three eggs were apparently laid. Normally eggs are produced every two days and hatch after two weeks.

The chicks take six weeks more to mature and leave the nest. This video was taken seven weeks after the nest was complete so the first possible time the birds could leave the nest is around August 16th.

Both parents work hard tag-team feed the growing chicks. They fly off and spearfish. Then they regurgitate the fish and the chicks seem to stick their heads way down their parent's throats to eat.

Observing this reproduction process from my bedroom window during pandemic isolation has enabled me to discover that the meaning of life is not 42. These birds are a brilliant self-replicating design with an incredible back history of lucky functional improvements.

Stay tuned for first flights...

Read Bob's Blog here.

See the video here, or watch it embedded on your Pliny page.

Phred Firecloud

31.08.20 Front Page

Back Issue Page