The Life Of Birds 9. Problems Of Parenthood (1 of 15)

The Life Of Birds

For this brown pelican, the problems of bringing new life into the world have started even before the eggs have hatched.
They've had to be kept cool or warm, according to the time of day, and they've had to be defended.
But that is only the beginning of things.
0nce their chicks have disentangled themselves from their shells, the first job of these brown pelicans here in Florida, as it is with all bird parents, is to find food urgently.
Few are in a greater hurry than the Lapland bunting, for summer in the Arctic is desperately short.
Food is rushed in.
Droppings are ferried out.
Both parents labour tirelessly, and since it is light 24 hours a day at this time of the year, they do so non-stop.

As a consequence, the chicks grow at extraordinary speed, and only 12 days after hatching they will fledge.
Dippers are also dedicated and industrious parents.
A nest behind a waterfall is excellently concealed but tricky to visit.
Nonetheless, these dippers, between them, bring a batch of food to their young every ten minutes.
Gouldian finches in Australia make their nests in holes in trees.