Had a close look at the chicks during a feeding a little while ago, and there are problems. The chicks are heavily infested with what I am pretty sure are Hippoboscidae. What these nasty little creatures do is chew on the chick's skin, creating areas of localized bleeding from which they drink the chick's blood. So although these chicks are being well fed and cared for, they are not receiving the benefit of the nutrients. The chicks become weak, and this kind of infestation can kill them.
For instance, two years ago at the Black Dog nest, there were three chicks. They were well fed and cared for, but did not thrive. By about nine days of age, two were dead. The third was still alive, but badly infested with Hippoboscidae. After these were removed, the chick did survive the damage which had been done. He was named Bugsy (rather unfortunate name, I thought).
Several years ago at Indy, there were two chicks, who had the same problem. One died, and the other, named Phoenix, just barely survived.
The Amherst chicks need to be treated; if they are not, it is likely that one or both of them will not survive. I hope that the Wildlife people will have them treated. I know that in the past they have been willing to help when there is a problem.
I hope they will do so again. I do not want to see this new, young pair lose their chicks.
