American Kestrels - Italy / Birdcam (Rebecca)

[msdolittle]

ya ... that doesn't look good .... it wouldn't be a meal left there for the babies to eat?

[carly]

Ummm...there is something wrong at Rebeccas.  Go look, it looks like a dead bird ... with a chest wound.  Good god I hope that is not Rebecca.

[maggieblue]

Rebecca and Nembo's chicks were banded and weighed today.  Based on weight they appear to think that they are probably all female.  In any event they have named one of them Nembo Jr. And little Alphonse is now a very large Alphonsine.  I am not sure if they are still looking for a suitable foster nest.  Rebecca and Nembo had been foster parents, so it seems fitting that another pair take on Nembo's last chick. 

[allikat]

Very sad about Nembo...hate hearing that he got hit by a car.  But the good news is, he is passing on his genes.  Rebecca is raising four chicks, yes with some (a lot) of help from caring humans, but still...four strong chicks who are changing every day.  And let's not forget about little Alphonso  ...he's a trooper! 
I have my fingers crossed that Rebecca will find a handsome new mate to help her raise more and more chicks.

Fly Free Nembo!

[carly]

Thanks for those figures Maggie, they certainly were prolific  

[birdcamfan]

Thanks, always good to know what happened when it is possible. What a proliferative pair!

[maggieblue]

It is very sad but there is a very good chance that his genes are out there. Not including this year's five, he and Rebecca had 33 hatches and 28 banded offspring. Thanks to the people there it looks like the 5 this year have a good chance of fledging and perhaps also passing on Nembo's genes. 

[The Peregrine Chick]

Sad news about Nembo, but nine years is a good run for any raptor!  He's definitely managed to get his genes out in the world - and this year is a bonus for him!

[carly]

Warbler from italy has now confirmed that Nembo died as a result of being hit by a car.  He and Rebecca were together for 9 years. 

[allikat]

I just took a look and they are growing...the white fluff is quickly disappearing and kestrel colors are making an appearance.  They look wonderful!  Hope Rebecca's okay..

[maggieblue]

Continuing good news here.  Rebecca and Nembo's chicks are all doing well including the little guy that is being raised by hand.  Kudos to all of the people who have been working so hard for the survival of these chicks. 

[carly]

Rebecca and kids all doing well.  Kim from italy has been kind enough to post english updates on the BCAW board and some pictures too!

I also saw some shots of her feeding the kids a few times today on the Italy board, she does look tired though..poor dear.

As for food, they are catering steadily...they aren't leaving the food in the box which is why we dont' see it - due to the heat and the smells it would create in the box .  They found a place outside the box where she trusts and she is taking the food so it's all good 

[carly]

Getting dark there and mom's not back home for the night yet     The cam keeps lightening and darkening..I think they are trying to see if she's back too..but she's not, bad sign as she's not usually this late 

[carly]

Uh oh...cam is back up for Kestrels...ok whew..it's cam quality.  Just saw bunch of pics on forum that are current of Rebeccas feeding her brood.  They're just mushed into the corner together!

[carly]

On the question of what might have happened to Nembo . . . he might indeed have encountered a predator. It is not impossible for that predator to be a peregrine, although it is not common.

Thanks for sharing the story of Kaver, Alison.