Humber Bay Teenagers

[paul_reeves]

At least in this stage of their development I think they are the equivalent of teenagers. While raising these four youngsters, mom and dad are sharing duties getting the next clutch ready for the world and hopefully I will get down there to get shots of them when they are freshly hatched.

[Dinusaur]

Lovely photos. When I saw them on June 10th they were still little; particularly one who was still riding on his dad's back. Later on I saw the parents making out. From what I hear more babies are now on the way. Such a beautiful family. What happens to the teenagers once the new ones arrive - have they learnt to fish?

[paul_reeves]

Thanks Dinusaur.

The parents are sharing nest duties and I believe there are three eggs in it this time. I actually witnessed the changing of the guard. One of the adults (call him dad - I can't tell the difference) was out in the bay and came swimming back into the channel towards the nest. He stopped to preen a few times then swam up to the nest. Mom and dad called a greeting to each other then she hopped off the nest and he hopped on. Once he was settled she swam off and started hunting fish to feed to the youngsters.

As of my visit on June 27th, a couple of the chicks were already doing short dives so I am guessing that by the time the new chicks hatch they will be self sufficient.

[CalvinBird]

I saw this pair mating a few days before second nesting, the male is obviously larger than the female. This is the best way to tell.

Calvin
North York

[Steve]

I was there June 23rd.  Was the first time I'd seen Red-necked chicks and they were diving.  They strayed quite far to the south shore among the reeds.  Really expected to see the parents try to keep them close to the nest.

There were three eggs then.  How long does it take for them to hatch?

[Brian Bailey]

Incubation is 22-23 days, according to The Birder's Handbook.  So, it's probably another week or so at least before the next hatching.  I stopped by there yesterday afternoon.  One parent was incubating, and the other was feeding 3 of the young ones.  The fourth juvenile looked a bit bigger than the others, and was off doing his/her own thing.  

There are 3 other adult pairs there.  One pair has started building a nest on the island just east of the footbridge, next to the beaver lodge.

[paul_reeves]

I went by again yesterday as well and the kids are getting big and somewhat independent. They are learning to dive and catch fish but they have to learn how to eat quickly or defend themselves because several times RB Gulls stole the fish from them.

Here's a couple of shots I got of mom and dad. Mom was just returning from the Home Depot and by the size of that yawn I'm guessing dad was a little bored sitting on the nest.

[Steve]

Thanks for the info, Brian