The Tompkins Square red-tailed hawk chicks are growing fast, and are now able to stand and look over the side of the nest. Their dark brown flight feathers are growing in on their wings, but they still have downy white heads and bodies.
The chicks are a month old now and are starting to get that serious adult look.
In the photo below, the chick on the left appears to be older than the one on the right, who still has more down on his/her wings.
The chicks are starting to show the peachy color on their upper chests that will distinguish them for the next few months.
Taking a look at the wings, you can see the primary flight feathers growing out, and look like paint brushes. The chick will preen away the feather covering, allowing the full feather to unfurl.
You can learn more about feather structure and development in this article on Cornell's Bird Academy site.
Looking at the top of the wing, you can see how much down still covers them. The chick will preen that away as the flight feathers grow longer.
Mom Amelia feeds the three kids.
After dinner, one of the chicks takes in the view.
Amelia leaves the nest, giving the chicks room to spread out and move around.
This is a nice view of the down still on the wings of one of the chicks.
After a meal and a nap, it's time for exercise.
Compare the photo above with the one below, which was taken a week earlier when the chick was still mostly downy, and the flight feathers were just beginning to grow.
The appearance of the chicks will change quickly now. They will soon lose all the fuzzy down and should start exercising their wings more. The next step for them will be exploring the branches outside the nest. Until then, we will enjoy their babyish cuteness while it lasts.
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