Baby Avocets

I've been visiting some nesting Avocets for several weeks and found some chicks today. None when I was there last week,so these are between one and seven days old. They get around very well and they're quick swimmers, so I couldn't get much closer than about 30 feet. The last one is a terrible picture, but it gives an idea of their size.

Nice shots, Ken, they are just the cutest little things ever!

Nice shots

I love the way the youngster has the mannerisms of the parents already, learning to fish so early.

Way too cute, and good shots.

Great series of shots. Do the parents feed the babies at all or are they hatched ready to hunt?

When i see these in the local bay i cant get close enough for a good shot , but youve excelled here , brilliant shots .

Very, cool shots. Were you attacked by the parents?

canonloader wrote in post #10316427
Great series of shots. Do the parents feed the babies at all or are they hatched ready to hunt?

Chicks are precocial and feed themselves.

Great pictures. I'm surprised the adults weren't doing all sorts of broken wing displays and circling your head!

Outstanding series Ken. The little ones really pop out of the water color/reflections. You really made the most of this great opportunity.

I've never seen young chicks before, you caught some great shots here Ken. Beautiful images.

Gorgeous set of shots Ken... Pretty much at the top of the scale for the cuteness factor

db

They are adorable! Wonderful captures!

Thanks for all of the comments. I was really happy to get these.

The little ones feed themselves and get around very well. From what I've read they leave the nest completely a few hours after hatching. If you approach a nest the parents will do everything they can to lure you away from the nest, but not with the chicks. They're more intent on getting the chicks to move.

This isn't a spot I would have expected to find nesting Avocets. Several people who live along this slough told me they've seen the birds there briefly in the spring, but this is the first year they've stayed around. There is a small rock dam just downstream which one of the adjoining property owners knocked a hole in, dropping the water level a couple of feet. This created some nice shorebird habitat, although the neighbors aren't happy to look at mudflats. If the dam gets repaired I don't think the Avocets will nest there again next year.

Here's a shot from a visit. three weeks ago. You can just make out a nesting bird in the dark vegetation on the far right, just below center. That bird was still sitting on eggs yesterday.

Very odd for me to see these birds nesting so close to people's homes and beside a road. To find them or the Stilts here I need to go to very remote areas. It's great to see them adapting so well to development. Thanks again for sharing these and I'm looking forward to seeing more. I think I'd really enjoy a trip to Nevada one day.