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[STLbf]

Growing rapidly, plenty of food, great location for creating poop art.

[STLbf]

No sound here at the MSU nest box, but all looks good.  The eyases are beginning to stand up and take real steps.

[STLbf]

Early feeding from the male parent (I think). Look how big the eyeases have grown.  Lots of dark feathers coming in also.

[shep]

Glad you kept up STL
I was offline 10 LONG days!  UGH!

DONT USE COX INTERNET!!

[STLbf]

Shep, glad to have you back.  We are so dependent on internet these days!

MSU little ones are developing fast.  See rewind or pics for wingercizing this morning.

[STLbf]

Monday morning finds the 4 eyases OK. And one parent in view.

[STLbf]

MSU banding completed this morning.  Camera off briefly during the procedure.  Looks like black 71 over blue R on left leg of the one that I could see.  There will be a listing somewhere soon.  Awesome.

The parents don't seem too upset, with food brought to the nest box soon after.  A mourning dove -- pink legs, gray feathers, few black spots.

[STLbf]

Another nice day at MSU. Eyases got fed, and are stumping around in the nest box.

[STLbf]

Parent on watch at this nest box overnight.

[STLbf]

Spartan eyases continue to grow and develop "big kid" feathers.

[STLbf]

One eyas can perch on the edge of the nest box this afternoon.  That's a big step in more ways than one!
In the pic you can see another chick trying to balance on one foot while scratching its head with the other.
Some serious wing stretching and flapping also, but no pic this time.

[STLbf]

Daily growth charts on a steep curve up!

[STLbf]

Couldn't resist posting this pic from MSU.

[STLbf]

Eyase perching on the side edge of the box rail.  Might be the same on on each side about an hour apart, or two different ones.  Must check on how long until fledging expected here, normal fledging that is, not an accidental slip.  These eyases are just starting to wingersize and hop rapidly across the crowded box.

AllAboutBirds.com says the fledging is in 35 - 42 days from hatch.  So, hatching May 1 - 4 (ish), and fledge expected about June 6 - 15.  Or so.

[STLbf]

Was I ever wrong about fledging date!!!  Two were gone some time yesterday, and I totally missed it.  By the time I looked at the rewind today, only a few hours of dark were available and only two were left in the nest box.  They are Blue band S over Black band 65 and 66, on left legs.  From feathering, I'm guessing that #65 is the youngest because the most white baby feathers.

#66 made the jump at about 7:00 AM.  #65 isn't quite ready, and a parent dropped off lunch about 12:30.  I think it was the female (larger) and she didn't stay at the box.  A few minutes later, another parent stopped by and looked for all the world like "Where's everybirdie?"  I'd say this was the male.

Have not see the fledglings, and this camera does not move.  So good luck to all, fly high, and have great lives as soaring Spartans.