Part 1 of this series on the nesting behavious of the Grey-rumped Treeswift (Hemiprocne longipennis) can be viewed HERE.
“The above-left shows the 2-day old chick in the nest alone on 7th June 2014. The two adults subsequently arrived and perched on the branch by the nest (above-right).
“Above-left shows the adult female feeding the chick while the adult male flew in later to feed the chick (above-right).
“The 6-day old chick is being fed by the adult female who just flew in (above-left) after which she left the chick alone (above-right)…
“…for the adult male to bring in the food (below-left). Two adult males with the 7-day old chick in the nest (above-left)…
“Adult female resting in the non-nesting tree nearby (above-left). The 10-day old chick is with the adult female (above-right).
“Adult male brooding the 10-day old chick (above-left). On the above-right is the adult female brooding the 12-day old chick.
“The adult male (#1) with the 12-day old chick (above-left). Another male (#2) with the 12-day old chick (above-right).
“The 13-day old chick alone in the nest (above-left). The 14-day old chick also alone in the nest (above-right).
“The 15-day old chick alone in the nest (above-left), until the adult male arrived (above-right).
“The adults had left the chick alone after 6 pm since 3 days ago, at times even after 7p pm. On this day (20th June) a Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) approached the nest. The adult male treeswifts immediately flew in and stood beside the chick (above-right). The oriole flew off and the treeswift returned to the non-nesting tree. Obviously an adult was keeping a close watch of the chick from a distance most of the time.
“Above-left shows the 15-day old chick alone after the oriole was chased away. Below-right shows the 16-day old chick.
“The 18-day old chick in the next (above-left). The 21-day old chick is shown above-right.
“The 22-day old chick (above-left) and the 23-day old chick testing its wings prior to fledging (above-right).
“The 25-day old chick being fed by an adult (above-left) and exercising its wings (above-right).
“The 26-day old chick in its typical pose, sitting upright with its bill directed upwards (above-left). An adult flying ?off the nest leaving the 27-day old chick behind.
“A larger 28-day old chick sitting upright in its nest (above-left). On the above-right is the 30-day old chick still exercising its wings.
“Time to fledge. A male adult perched on a branch nearby, encouraging the 31-day old chick to take its first flight.
“Finally at 32-day old, the Grey-rumped Treeswift chick took the plunge and fledged on 7th July 2014 (below).
Ling Kwee Chang
Singapore
August 2015
This post is a cooperative effort between Birds, Insects N Creatures Of Asia and BESG to bring the study of birds and their behavior through photography and videography to a wider audience.
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