I like Smiley - really likes the chicks and more of homebody than some males HOWEVER he still sucks as a provider. Today is a perfect example, first meal was at 0127h and tiny - fit entirely in one talon. Next meal was at 0506 and it was again, a talon full - Princess picked at it twice trying to find food to feed the kids. Third meal was at 0608h, small bird without head (might have been 0506h delivery) but still with wings and feet so looked larger than it was - to my eye, half (or less than half) the size of a pigeon. She fed it all to the chicks. Fourth meal was at 0840h an it was a wing from crying out loud, there's nothing on a wing except right at the end which she hauled in to feed the kids. Fifth meal was another small bird with wings and feet and I think head which went to the chicks of course. He's got good timing but his production is lacking so far. Fortunately, chicks are young and can only eat so much at a meal so more small meals will get them through until Princess can help keep them supplied with food and can supply for herself as well (cuz he's failing there in a big way!). Or maybe this is him just getting started, like to think so, but I suspect it isn't and we are going to need to rely on Princess' wealth of expertise and experience with these chicks.
And to answer the two questions that are top of mind ...
Are the chicks in danger? No, it looks like they aren't getting fed less than any of our other pairs have/will feed their chicks, we are just used to rockstar males at the Radisson. Pop, T-Rex, (Simba was invisible but good enough) and Trey were great providers and our little hunting over-achiever Ivy's chicks used to burp and waddle way from food they were so well fed. And as I understand it (and past years bear it out) the males' performances are tied to cues from their mate and the chicks. Hopefully Smiley is getting better at reading the cues.
What about Smiley's performance in previous years? Only have 2014 to go by and it was pretty much the same and I chalked it up to be a first time dad. And that may still be the case, essentially, he is just a second-time dad and maybe he's just getting the hang of it ...
