Kestrel Chicks Show Off Juvenile Plumage During Morning Feeding - July 6, 2018

Watch the antics of the American Kestrel chicks as they show off their different stages of plumage development during an early morning feeding. Notice how the older chicks have lost large areas of down where barred, rufous feathers have taken its place on the head, back, and tail. The younger chicks still have plenty of fluffy down still intact, but it won't be long until they look like their siblings!
Watch the cams live at www.allaboutbirds.org/cams
The American Kestrel cam is a collaboration between the Cornell Lab or Ornithology and the Raptor Resource Project.
Four downy American Kestrel nestlings are tucked into a gravel-bottomed nest on private property near Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin. The nest box is located on the side of a traditional limestone-footed barn, overlooking a rolling grassland that slopes away into folded hills and forests. Our partners at the Raptor Resource Project have watched kestrels breed at this site for over 25 years, and the wonderful combination of grassland, forest, and water that surrounds the property is an excellent example of the habitat that kestrels need to survive and thrive. Watch cam.
The young birds began hatching out of their eggs on June 14th, and the remaining egg in the nest is unlikely to hatch at this point. Over the next 3-4 weeks the nestlings will transform from downy bobbleheads to sleek, dull versions of their parents on a diverse diet of invertebrates, small mammals, and birds (watch this highlight of the female feeding the young). After fledging, the young will continue to be cared for by their parents, remaining near the nest as they learn to hunt and master flight.
Don't miss the outside view! A second camera has been installed to give views of the nest box opening from the outside so viewers can observe the kestrels' comings and goings, as well as the nestlings once they begin peering outside. To toggle between the two camera views, click the "switch camera" icon in the lower right of the livestream player, next to the settings wheel.
#birdcams #live #kestrel #birds #wildlife #nature #nowplaying #wisconsin

[@2277niks]

Love how the other 2 siblings are sort of scared of pulling the food from their elder sibling. But junior, he ain't scared of no one. Goes right in when he needs it. Bravest chick that. 😀

[@leslieann54]

And show off the difference in size & how good they self feed😉❤

[@3ibourtv]

Good luck to you my dear brother

[@vivianoshea1083]

So disappointed that they don't have a camera where they seem to be most of the time.

[@TheGreatOne16439]

I've noticed that their Mom doesn't seem to stay and feed them much lately, she prefers to drop it off and leave. Is that normal amongst Kestrels?

[@CottonCandy2024]

I want to see more after this. Did the smallest one can self feeding?

[@leslieann54]

Sol Yoon yes,they are all self feeding now😚

[@vivianoshea1083]

Is this the oldest one eating?

[@user-jn5qu6qi3x]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍