Whilst I was at the Haven watching the Phalarope on Saturday distantly from the Meon Shore hide, a interesting bit of bird behaviour unfolded in front of me. A single moorhen (or should that be Merehen) adult appeared out of the reeds to the right of the hide with two well grown chicks/juveniles. Probably around 4 weeks old. Following them were three very young chicks probably no more than a day or two old. Each of the three larger birds had one of the younger birds in tow. I was then quite surprised to see both the juvenile birds feeding the young chicks. Not behaviour that I have witnessed before, but maybe this species is known for it. What I found fascinating was that chicks of all ages are normally ravenous and would eat anything they could find, so for the older chicks to be feeding the younger was quite an eye opener. Apologies for the picture quality, I was having an off day. Moorhen adult with Chick Juvenile Moorhens with Chicks Moorhen, happy families Juvenile feeding Chick
Steve Copsey |
