StoneRoad2013's photos with the keyword: [Merlo]

oaw - leucistic blackbird

oaw - leucistic blackbird

StoneRoad2013
12 Jul 2015 1 1 652
This rather shy leucistic blackbird lives a couple of miles away from my home. He rarely stays around for long, especially when you try to take a picture.
rbb - SPLATTTT - You're late

rbb - SPLATTTT - You're late

StoneRoad2013
21 Sep 2013 2 6 755
Typical greeting posture, usually accompanied by some minor gbh of the ears, especially if carrying a tub of mealworms. We all got this welcome, even down to Ben.
rbb - watching

rbb - watching

StoneRoad2013
21 Sep 2013 584
"If I sit still enough, that bug / fly will come close enough that I can catch it" - this method worked! Several craneflies became snacks by this method, as did a lot of midges etc.
rbb - treat time

rbb - treat time

StoneRoad2013
21 Sep 2013 2 596
Although more than capable of self-feeding, offering extras was much appreciated ....... on one mealworm delivery, over 25 medium worms disappeared in short order, before the crop was full enough.
rbb - perched

rbb - perched

StoneRoad2013
21 Sep 2013 1 637
"Evening" feeding time, hand offered and bird perched, then down to the serious business of feeding. He's had access to open source food all day, the evening feed was more of a check than otherwise, but he still took a crop full !
rbb - breakfast time

rbb - breakfast time

StoneRoad2013
21 Sep 2013 3 565
Morning feeding time, mainly mealworms, but sometimes a few other things........such as craneflies
rbb - dinner time

rbb - dinner time

StoneRoad2013
21 Sep 2013 572
Mealworms for dinner......... I've room for a few extra, if you have any more ? and please don't forget to leave me a few for later.......
rbb - 9 ninth image

rbb - 9 ninth image

StoneRoad2013
07 Aug 2013 17 15 1699
What a difference - the nest is now an old and comfortable armchair, for the post feed snooze. Has been observed to pick up and eat deliberately dropped mealworms. Generally chucking the loose leaves about.....all natural (instinctive) activity,
rbb - 8 eigth image

rbb - 8 eigth image

StoneRoad2013
07 Aug 2013 2 608
Perching fully extended, wing flapping and almost fully feathered - tail is now growing. Food shouting much reduced, and has started to peck at contents of biodome. Compare size to the start image.
rbb - 7c - seventh image

rbb - 7c - seventh image

StoneRoad2013
07 Aug 2013 4 3 655
getting very active, jumping about from stick to floor and back again. Showing the juvenile speckled breast, wings but still without much tail.
rbb - 7b sixth image (feeding)

rbb - 7b sixth image (feeding)

StoneRoad2013
07 Aug 2013 2 1711
That mealworm is about an inch long (2.5 cm) which gives an idea of the gape ........ feed me, feed me......in between answering the phone, typing emails and being out in the workshop !
rbb - 7a fifth image

rbb - 7a fifth image

StoneRoad2013
07 Aug 2013 2 579
Now perching upright, with good balance. Much preening is taking place, most of the down tips have gone. Roosting overnight with late and early feeds, and at variable intervals during daylight hours.
rbb - 6 fourth image

rbb - 6 fourth image

StoneRoad2013
07 Aug 2013 1 570
Much more feather development, now tolerates mealworms ! Shouting for food, a different sound when feeding and a resting cheep.......
rbb - 5 third image

rbb - 5 third image

StoneRoad2013
07 Aug 2013 4 2 585
Transfered to a biodome .... extra hay on the nest. Toilet tissue for the poop collection, it can now perch un-aided. Shouting very loudly for food.
rbb - 4 second image

rbb - 4 second image

StoneRoad2013
07 Aug 2013 1 537
Staring to feed on plenty of mashed up meaty pet food, wasn't too keen on mealworms. Growing some feathers over the body, "in pin" on wings and tail. It can now keep upright, even if on rump and haunches.
rbb - 3 first image

rbb - 3 first image

StoneRoad2013
07 Aug 2013 2 1 741
Ben investigates.....and sympathises. He was soaking wet when rescued ! At this point I was constantly expecing the nestling to have died.....feeding every couple of hours.
rbb - 2 start here

rbb - 2 start here

StoneRoad2013
07 Aug 2013 3 1 699
The only survivor.......warmed, dried and fed (used some home-made re-hydration solution first) The paper was used to catch the poops......in one end and out the other !
rbb - 1 nest

rbb - 1 nest

StoneRoad2013
07 Aug 2013 563
I was trying to capture the contents of a nest, but the camera and window glass refuse to co-operate. see note. Two nights after I took this we had a thunderstorm and torrential rain, the adult male and the smaller of the two nestlings were already dead, but the larger.........