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Food is a Valued Resource
Post-fledging the nest remains home-base till migration to South America. The adults continue to deliver food to their young. At dinnertime three fish were delivered in less than an hour. Chicks feed themselves but have not been observed to be hunting. Throughout the observation period if flushed during mealtime the adults always take their quarry with them. The moment the disturbance is removed to the same safe distance the adult returns to its role as provider. Here we see a chick unsuccessfully attempting to take the entire meal from its mother. No disturbance during the eighth week caused all the chicks to flush. But those that do follow the adult’s lead, taking their unfinished prey with them.
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