maertha wrote:Hello everyone, after the ringing of our ospreys I received a few questions. I had collected some other frequently asked osprey questions before and forwarded a little bunch now to Urmas. He kindly answered them yesterday.
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Thanks to Urmas for taking the time to answer our questions![/size]
at page 194
Maertha
NancyM wrote:Wisteria - this is "my time" in Estonia - only 10 PM where I am.
5:13 Nori is full, now it is Elo's turn.
Kukelke wrote:Some general observations/tendencies the last few days:
1) Uno, and especially Elo, now allow Nori to get food first almost every time a fish is delivered. Could this be because Uno and Elo have reached (close to) their maximum weight and do not need as much fish as Nori who is still in the process of gaining maximum weight?
After all the only thing Uno and Elo have to do now, is to develop their feathers more, and that takes less calories than gaining weight, I would think.
2) Piret seems to eat more herself now than she did previously when all three chicks were very hungry all the time. Especially when Uno and/or Elo are lined up for food these days. Piret now often feeds Elo/Uno a few bites, then eats herself a couple of decent-sized chunks ignoring the open beaks and calls from Uno/Elo, before she continues feeding them.
Could this be because she sacrificed herself and didn't eat enough during the last crucial weeks when the chicks had to grow from the size of a golfball to 1,5 kilo birds? And that she now needs to come into shape again so she soon can help Madis with catching fish for the chicks?
Kukelke, I don't think birds have that kind of thinking about each other: they go after the food when they are hungry, if they let another one go first I think it only means they are not hungry. (Uno had just finished most of that fish Madis brought). Hi Jopie, my remarks weren't meant to describe some form of altruism by Uno and Elo, but just what you say: they (Uno and Elo) are less hungry now, because they don't need to gain weight anymore. The only thing they need calories for now, is to maintain their temperature and to develop their feathers more, thus they need less food, and have probably undergone some change in their metabolism, I would think. Nori still needs to grow and gain some more weight.jopie wrote:
Second observation I do not know if that is true, I have the feeling it also depends on what they ate previous.
OkayKukelke wrote: Hi Jopie, my remarks weren't meant to describe some form of altruism by Uno and Elo, but just what you say: they (Uno and Elo) are less hungry now, because they don't need to gain weight anymore. The only thing they need calories for now, is to maintain their temperature and to develop their feathers more, thus they need less food, and have probably undergone some change in their metabolism, I would think. Nori still needs to grow and gain some more weight.
About Piret: there's a new fish delivered, lets see what Piret does now in this regard.
I think it depends on Madis fishing success. If the food supply is sufficient, the chicks will be able to share "peacefully". Yesterday Madis got that big fish. All three chicks lost interest for eating during this feeding twice. I can't remember Uno being so eager for food as Elo and Nori at same age. Maybe it's because of Elo being female, Uno and Nori male. Was Piret feeded by Madis since the chicks hatching date or got herself some food during her absences? Where did she fly when Madis was upstairs and she returned without nest material?Kukelke wrote: Hi Jopie, my remarks weren't meant to describe some form of altruism by Uno and Elo, but just what you say: they (Uno and Elo) are less hungry now, because they don't need to gain weight anymore. The only thing they need calories for now, is to maintain their temperature and to develop their feathers more, thus they need less food, and have probably undergone some change in their metabolism, I would think. Nori still needs to grow and gain some more weight.
About Piret: there's a new fish delivered, lets see what Piret does now in this regard.
Very good analysis!Kukelke wrote:Some general observations/tendencies the last few days:
1) Uno, and especially Elo, now allow Nori to get food first almost every time a fish is delivered. Could this be because Uno and Elo have reached (close to) their maximum weight and do not need as much fish as Nori who is still in the process of gaining maximum weight?
After all the only thing Uno and Elo have to do now, is to develop their feathers more, and that takes less calories than gaining weight, I would think.
2) Piret seems to eat more herself now than she did previously when all three chicks were very hungry all the time. Especially when Uno and/or Elo are lined up for food these days. Piret now often feeds Elo/Uno a few bites, then eats herself a couple of decent-sized chunks ignoring the open beaks and calls from Uno/Elo, before she continues feeding them.
Could this be because she sacrificed herself and didn't eat enough during the last crucial weeks when the chicks had to grow from the size of a golfball to 1,5 kilo birds? And that she now needs to come into shape again so she soon can help Madis with catching fish for the chicks?
Sorry, I do not agree at all with these observations: a) they are not eating less, and b) they do need to eat as much as usual because all the wing exercises take a lot of energy.pinkish wrote: Very good analysis!
I really think you're right about everything you thought!
Uno and Nori can't believe their eyes!thoview wrote: I got a pic of that situation..
Wonderful picture, Gala, thanksgala wrote: Uno and Nori can't believe their eyes!
Lovely picture, thanks.thoview wrote: I got a pic of that situation..
Great pic!thoview wrote: I got a pic of that situation..
I've been researching a bit, and found this information from the Dyfi Osprey Project in Wales. These are the weekly numbers of fish caught by their male in 2011. They had also three chicks in 2011, just like we have too.jopie wrote:Sorry, I do not agree at all with these observations: a) they are not eating less, and b) they do need to eat as much as usual because all the wing exercises take a lot of energy.
I know of bird parents who reduce the food of the chicks a few days before they leave the nest, but our osprey's are not at that point yet.
To me it looks like this more or less confirms my observations that the two oldest chicks aren't hungry all the time anymore, and therefore often allow Nori (who is a few days behind) to eat first.Week 14-15. A predictable decrease in fish consumption during these two weeks down to 22/23 fish per week - all three chicks are now the same weight as their parents - a little heavier sometimes. Most of the body mass is achieved and it's only the feathers, particularly the flight feathers, that are growing at this stage.
http://www.dyfiospreyproject.com/scienc ... h-bar-2011
I saw it!. Too funnyBirdie wrote:20:35 Nori makes some trouble and puts branches on his/her siblings
