Karula National Park (Karl II and Kaia)

[Madli]

Karl doesn't leave immediately. This morning he decides to spend some time with the kids

08.22


09.05 Karl leaves.
Karl was in the nest for 58 min.

[Madli]

09.28 All three standing!

[Madli]

12.43 A cuckoo is calling nearby. A second cuckoo flies over the nest, lands nearby and starts calling- it is the call of a male cuckoo! The chicks react to this as a danger






Call of a male cuckoo:
https://xeno-canto.org/730579

[Madli]

Our storklets are amazed by this weird creature for several minutes

[Madli]

Preening session- the chicks use their uropygial gland to get this greasy substance to rub over their feathers. It has many benefits- waterproofing and conditioning the feathers.

[Madli]

13.15 KARL arrives. Chicks start begging.
Chicks were alone for 4 h 10 min.


13.16 FEEDING (3) Fish from Karl. The chicks grab the falling food already from Karl's mouth Hardly anything drops on the nest floor...

[Madli]

Karl stands in the nest for a few minutes..

13.26 Karl flies away.
Karl was in the nest for 11 minutes.


All the time while the parent is in the nest, the chicks are twittering. I'm not surprised why the parents don't want to stay in the nest for a long time

[Madli]

13.44 KAIA.
Chicks were alone for 18 minutes.


13.45 FEEDING (4) A big pile of food from Kaia.




Kaia stands in the nest for a few minutes.
13.48 Kaia leaves. She was in the nest for 4 minutes.

[Madli]

14.37 Now they can sleep and rest properly. Afternoon siesta

[Madli]

Video of the cuckoo's visit :