Seeing that teeny tiny little beak stretched wide in hungry anticipation is one of the most jaw dropping sights I can remember seeing. For two weeks I have checked on the little Sunbird mama a few dozen times a day. For two weeks the tiny Malachite Sunbird mama has patiently peeked out of her lofty nest in the cactus. From my research I've learned that the hatchling rate of Sunbird babies is only 20%. While ever hopeful I was uncertain that I (and the little Sunbird mama) would ever see the tiny eggs hatch .....
And then two days ago Daddy Malachite Sunbird arrived in his green glory. I knew that the babies had hatched! The doting Daddy Sunbird flashes around the homestead catching tasty morsels to feed his naked newborns. It is exciting seeing the beautiful Malachite Sunbird Daddy carefully peeping inside the nest.
While the mother sunbird broods, alone on the eggs, once the babies have hatched the care of the little sunbird babies is divided equally. How they communicate is a total mystery. I only spotted the beautiful male Sunbird once in the past couple weeks. But the Sunbird network must be fast because he is in constant attendance! You can catch up on the exciting early days; Sunbirds for Spring
We are delighted that the little Malachite Sunbird family chose the cactus at one corner of our house for their little nursery. They are safe from predators, including our five cats. Our homestead also offers a buffet of blossoming flowers and wonderful variety of fat insects. The male and female tirelessly flit backwards and forwards with titbits to feed the gaping baby beaks. And at night Mama Sunbird snuggles in the nest alone with the babies.
Hopefully once the baby Sunbirds are bigger they will be easy to see. The nest is an architectural wonder. It doglegs down the cacti and seems quite roomy and secure - if you are Sunbird size!! Without interfering or causing alarm I could only sneak in the close-ups by being on tippy toes and holding my camera as high as possible. But that shot of the little beak gaping out of the nest was worth it! This has been a homesteading highlight par excellence!!!
