Coppersmith Barbet -Nesting

March 13th, 2009 - Friday

Though I did not find any pointer conclusive enough to stalk the Barbet, it came back to the same trunk again this morning.

The bird led me to the opening. Save my searching and I could confirm that the bird was nesting. Recalling the days the birds had been active, I do not know the stage the eggs or chicks were in.

The few signs I would be looking for would be a] the length of time the bird enters the nest. Here I could not be sure as the bird approached the nest alone. There could be a mate seating on the nest. 2] Was the birds bringing in food for the chicks or the mate -none. 3] The bird was not in a hurry to leave the nest after popping its head out to check the surroundings. The beaks were clean with no traces of substances. No feeding and no cleaning for this day.

March 14th - Saturday

With the birds perpetually shuttling to the nest, spoke much of the intensity that was happening inside the nest.

This was the 3rd day I was in place, watching. I could not make out any scenes at the nest other than the birds flying in and out.

I did not have prior knowledge of the implication of the in-between period when the birds were not seen.

This day, the birds appeared calm and not in hurry when they landed outside the nest. There was no action of feeding or retrieving from outside of the nest.

Upon landing, the birds would burrowed itself into the nest. I could only see coming in and leaving.

March 15th - Sunday - Day 1

Some changes this day. The bird did dug deep inside the nest.

Unlike the day before, it did not make a direct entry but sometimes gradually crawling inside.

I could not make out any chirping calls of young chicks, but could the new action by the birds meant that the chick or chicks were hatched.

March 16th - Monday - Day 2

More clues seen this morning. I could get this picture of food being brought to the nest.

Rather chunky, could this be for the mate or the chicks?

March 17th - Tuesday - Day 3

With patience, answers were slowly rolling out. I was unprepared when I saw glimpses of tiny beaks at the entrance. Confirmed that the chick or chicks were hatched and the feeding started.

While the confirmation came, other pointers became very obvious simultaneously.

The parents, both of them were seen bringing food. Both seen outside the nest coming in within minutes of one another. Or, one was waiting while the first one delivered.

Very close delivery of a 5 minutes cycle. I suppose that was the time needed to harvest the fruits and returning to the nest.

The first parent will call prior to landing at the entrance and feeding was swift and immediate. The parent regurgitate the food 2-3 times on each trip.

March 18th - Wednesday -Day 4

The same cautiousness as displayed by the parent continued. In fact,

The birds, like me were so excited about the chicks coming into this world. So engaged in their own world to start feeding. They did not have time to note that some one was watching all the going-ons. Not until most of the chores done, then they sensed a living things fairly close to their nest. This time one parent stood out in the open to check on my reaction.

March 19th - Thursday - Day 5

The time - the first time I got a picture of the chick, so pale and pinkish delicate.

Confirm the chick was mobile enough to reach the opening of the nest responding to the feeding efforts of the parent.

March 20th - Friday - Day 6

Another first time for this nesting. I saw the parent removing waste from the nest.

From the frequency and the amount, the chicks was fed a substantially large amount of food. Also I learned about the Barbet's habit and the parent's role of maintenance.

My wishes or my aim was attempting to get a good picture of the food that the parents were bringing in.

In this picture I could make out that the food were complete globular fruits. Quite a mouthful and all held in the beak.

This must be my lucky day I suppose as I managed one frame showing that there were 2 chicks. The picture was clear too.

March 21st - Saturday - Day 7

There was nothing exciting to see actually.

The parents came in and feeding was over in 3 pecking inside the hole. All hope was busy clicking away and hoping that one frame would help in detecting the differences from the day before

It was late as Tan and myself waited for the Goshawk's feeding time. I was done with the Barbet. But then saw this parent perched on the highest branch and calling for a long time. I could see that there was no disturbances at the nest. He had food in his bills and he was not feeding. Good point to ponder over!

March 22nd - Sunday - Day 8

This was a beautiful Sunday morning, the usual crowd in the park. No family days and no special group. Feeding was proceeding smoothly.

I too after experimenting with lights and angle finally found the spot to get optimum quality pictures.

With the long 4 hours, I had the chance to see all the rituals followed.

Beside watching the feeding and glimpses of the chick, I only noted the cautiousness of the parent when approaching the entrance to feed

During the times when feeding cycle was short, the parent flew in singly or in pair. One going in for the first round while another waited some distances away.

Before landing at he entrance, they would hopped and made 3 stops for final survey. After feeding, they would stop on another nearby branch to check my reaction.

I am still trying to identify this fruit that the parents were bringing in!

March 23rd - Monday - Day 9

Nothing unusual to report this day. Feeding was very slow with much less trip within the 2 hours I spent waiting.

Among the many pictures, this is a clearer picture showing the bare head of the chick. No downs!

Also meant that the chicks were more mobile and assertive in coming out of the nest to greet the parent's arrival. One parent spent an abnormal 10 minutes feeding. This compared with the 30 secs done all the time.

The chicks though underdeveloped were moving to the entrance at lightning speed.

Here I managed another shot. This time showing that eyes was opened.

Watching the food!

Today, some other fruit was on the menu. Bigger red berry together with the usual pink fruit.

Supply of food in the morning was slow. I timed it to be a 20 minute cycle. What's more?

Only one parent bringing in the food, instead of the cyclic couple.

I went in the early afternoon to check. Waited for more than half an hour and no feeding. Knew that feeding in the evening was very slow, but this day -worse.

March 24th - Tuesday - Day 10

This morning the parent came. But not directly to the branches near to the nest but high above the canopy.

From there, it would do some calling and waiting for the appropriate time to descend onto the area of the nest.

I too changed my position of watching.

This time I seek shelter behind the tall scrubs. This would be a better spot to get at the entrance direct except for 2 other new obstacles.

The bright background varied according to the angle of sunlight.

Keeping watch of the birds coming in for feeding took a couple of hours, I could not make sudden move while they were coming in for feeding but have my hands on the camera. I could not stand on the open road and maintain that position for hours.

March 25th - Wednesday - Day 11

Another beautiful morning of bright sunlight. Such weather promised of easy hunting and plenty of feeding sessions.

However, with some domestic chores I was delayed until 9.00 am before I could reach the nest.

Feeding was proceeding at feverish pace. One parent came in after another within 10 minutes interval.

The ambient lights good but hostile as it influenced the area around the nesting hole dark and the camera had difficulty working on auto focus. Got this picture manually.

Watch the food [above] once more!

Today, the parent continued to supply the larger red berry.

Significant points for the day. The amount of waste removed from the nest was in bulkier quantity.

The cautious parent sometimes on the incoming flight made use of the tallest branch of the neighboring tree.

I noticed that it waited there for the mate to complete his or her round of feeding.

Then swooped down to the nest. I cam feel that birds were quite accustomed to my presence as the feeding was not done hurriedly.

March 26th - Thursday - Day 12

Another morning with bright sunshine. Makus called at 8.30 am informing me that the Barbet was feeding feverishly. I had a domestic chore that would delay me until 10.00 am.

It was another special day that I saw a new trick from the birds. One parent came in but would not approach the nest. He started calling. Soon the second came but perched very high and far from the tree.

Then she too, started calling continuously. While that was happening, the male went into the nest. I realized that it was a diversion tactic adopted by the birds.

Somehow I felt that the birds overcame the fear posed by the presence of human watching very close nearby. They overcame this fear by acting very cautiously. Feeding went on very often, their extra care taken can be reflected by the swift act of delivery and getting away from the nest.

Up till now, most of the pictures I collected was that of the birds approaching and feeding into the nest. There was so little chance or show any progress on the chicks and its behavior.

So this picture, another one showed how fast the parent came in landing and going inside the nest.

March 27th - Friday - Day 13

Just as I commented for not able to pick up any clue on the development of the chick, this day I got this picture.

Certainly the tiny fine feather of the crown showed grey and the white eye ring seen.

Same feeding cycle, but a much clearer pictures.

The white around the eyes remained faint but the feathers on the head definitely better developed as compared to the picture taken on Day 9.

I was in Penang for Cheng Beng, so there were 2 days on the weekend where no record was made.

March 30th - Monday - Day 16

It was a bright sunny morning and I was rather late arriving at about 10.30 am.

Judging from the condition on the ground, Makus did not show up at the nest this morning.

The birds were not disrupted for the day yet.

Some shots I got this morning. The 1st one shows that parent did bring in a new stuff, some sort of white flowers.

Then this second picture show the regular pink fruits since the early days.

Feeding was brief, the parent exercise lots of caution by watching me for some time before approaching the nest.

Once at the entrance, feeding went on at normal pace.

There was one cycle with both parent present. One at the nest feeding another very close by waiting for his turn. Not very often this scene was seen as the partner would normally perched higher to act a look out during the waiting time.

Today. showed that parent were calm.

Then here is the 3rd picture. The large red fruit.

Or rather an assortment of fruits.

After the last feeding when both came together, the time was almost 11.00 am.

I waited for another 45 minutes, rather long time and unusual as the parent did not make any more trips.

But, here is one unique picture that I could not understand.

There were a few frame showing a parent with his beak wide open and close.

Some sort of communications with teh chicks?

During that time I did not hear any unnatural calls or in fact during all the feeding time there was never a time when calls were made.

March 31st - Tuesday - Day 17

Feeding was brief, perhaps the chicks were getting larger. then again from the way the birds were checking out the place, they were sensitive of being watched.

That was at certain times of the day.

I would not be able to confirm. I am sure they would make contingency plan and exercise extreme caution during these morning hours.

What I am watching all these days would not be real natural process but one when the birds were stressed.

The parents came in with a mouth full of food, the young one just ripped it of her mouth.

This was the elder chick with nice fine feather and big eyes.

Then, the mother assisted by "dropping" the whole load right inside its mouth.

Rushing or plain hungry?

Another the rare shot showing the parent feeding the younger chick.

By this day, it could reach the entrance and stretching its head out for food.

This was also one day, I saw some fruits that has resemblances to the fruits brought in by the parents.

Cannot confirm this fact yet. I have no chance of getting residues or fruits that fell out from the nest or its mouth.

Just by looking at pictures of the fruits from afar.

Got the close-up of the fruits for comparison as well. I am taking note of the line of recess along the fruit. The similar feature on the fruits brought in the bird to the chicks.

The lower part, under the chin, still in its very early stage.

Almost bare and bereaved of fine feathers.