Oh yes, they were big enough now to go and find some husbands. :))
I will also show you a little Cape White Eye, having some snacks.
Turns out that the Malachite sunbirds (Nectarinia famosa) were not males, but rather twin sisters. I was so hoping that at least one of them would be a male, but now I will just have to wait until the next breeding season to hopefully get my first male on camera. This was the fifth day of them being out of the nest, and in the meantime, they have learned the ropes of feeding themselves.
It looked like the one was going to kiss her sister.
Both were sitting around and either waiting for their parents or watching around for predators.
Really so cute.
And now let's have a look at a little Cape White Eye (Zosterops virens), eating some biscuit scraps that the wife laid out for the birds.
Even gave me a look and the expression on its face was one of happiness.
Just a final look at the cute little one.
The job of raising the twins was well done and the dad landed on this flower.
So daddy Malachite took himself out for a drink.
So, next breeding season, they will all be back, and the twins will come to build their own nests. What we have done is to do some research on their breeding habits and the duration from first their nesting habits, and also the times that they come to breed. Now we know to a T when and where to get them. A difficulty always is to search for their nests, as they are experts in hiding them, but over time I have also learned the tricks of their nesting trade.
It is also starting to feel like we are old friends, as the malachite male even lets me know when there is a cat around. I chased a cat recently with the malachite screaming at it in the trees above. So, he knows that I can chase a cat away, and that strengthens our relationship. Birds are intelligent, and they know who they can trust. One has just to avoid touching them, as that would be a real friendship breaker. Lol
I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the story.
Photos by Zac Smith-All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon PowershotSX70HS Bridge camera.
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