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Two birds, one home..
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
In the UK pigeons and doves were once an important food source. For many in the countryside these birds are still eaten, although it is mainly the wood pigeon which is shot for the table.
Here we have a home intended for white doves, however as you can see a certain Captain Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) has taken up residence! With food in beak the parents work hard all day long gathering worms and insects for their chicks.
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The following about their reproduction is taken from here: http://www.oiseaux.net/birds/common.starling.html
[The] Common Starling nests in cavities or nest-boxes. Nest is made with sticks, dried grasses and plant fibres, papers, feathers and includes the same materials as in natural or artificial cavities. Nest is situated 10 to 15 feet above the ground.
Female lays 4 to 6 glossy pale blue and white eggs. Incubation lasts about 12 to 14 days, more often by female at night. Male gathers with other males in roosts. Chicks hatch altricial. They are fed by both parents, first with animal foods. Later, they feed them with a wide variety of plant and Etourneau sansonnet animal foods. Parents clean the nest, removing fecal sacs from the nest.
Young fledge at about 21 to 23 days, and parents feed them for a few days more. When they are independent, young gather in flocks with other young birds.
This species may produce 2 or 3 clutches per season. The second clutch (intermediate clutch) is the result of Common Starling's polygynous practice. The third clutch typically occurs 40 to 50 days after the first;
Male helps to parental care for the first clutch. But it gives little or no help for the others. |
marion44, broglia has marked this note useful
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Hi ! Very well seen and caught ! Funny and delicate, with beautiful vivid colors, I like it a lot !
Thanks for sharing,
Marion
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