Good grief! 12 pages yesterday. And most of them about the birds and the bees - or the birds. I'm copying Wattle's post (the last one on yesterday's Update thread) which may throw some light on the topic. (Glad someone asked; I wasn't sure myself but you feel such a twit.....)
From Wattle: Now I've finished chuckling at all the posts, I'll answer the delicate question posed. Generally, birds have just one multi-purpose opening, male and female, both under the tail. The female holds her tail to one side, and the male curls his body forward until there is, well, a 'bum kiss'! It can be lightning fast and still be very effective. ;-) I say 'generally', because male ducks, swans etc can be more elaborately endowed, but females are always the same (I think).
Thank you Wattle, I think..... :-)
Oh, and the LG nest is empty; Marge is at LOTL
There isn't much fish deliveries to talk about is there. Odin be warned Cirrus will want to know why!!!
Everything in life is speaking in spite of its apparent silence.
I see that Linda says there was a small fish delivered at 9.26 am. but EJ was making it clear she was looking for another one when he last returned to the nest.
I was re-reading parts of Roy's book last night and he does say that the male will bring 2/3 fish daily to the female and that it is something the male bird knows through instinct.
The nest is empty.
EDIT; EJ has returned
EJ is still there as Brenda said. Gentle squeaks occassionally. Going out now . So over to you Brenda
Good afternoon Wattle15 and thanks so much for the information re productive organs. That explained it all rather well and next iime I have a plucked chicken I will be looking for that preening gland.
Margobird
Unknown said: Amazing. A preening gland. Why don't I have one? Might simplify the mornings.....
Amazing. A preening gland. Why don't I have one? Might simplify the mornings.....
Hi Annette now there is a thought. save all the messing around inj the morning.
Thanks Tish. Odin returns, but no fish, just the routine mating and off he goes. I must leave shortly, so hope there is somebody else, who can keep watch. There obviously won't be any fish deliveries just yet, as Odin is still around the nest.
Unknown said: Well Marge's OH showed up and Marge has gone off to stretch her wings. OH is now looking at egg, looking to where Marge went - and, and - settles over the egg. Hurray! Color at LOTL. Meanwhile, color also at LG and EJ still fidgeting around apparently waiting for Odin to reappear. And here he comes - no fish - and now they're both looking around. Hmm. And he's suddenly remembered why he came back. And now he's left again. Fish, Odin! Fish please! Well, I'm calling it a night. Have a good day all!
Well Marge's OH showed up and Marge has gone off to stretch her wings. OH is now looking at egg, looking to where Marge went - and, and - settles over the egg. Hurray! Color at LOTL.
Meanwhile, color also at LG and EJ still fidgeting around apparently waiting for Odin to reappear. And here he comes - no fish - and now they're both looking around. Hmm. And he's suddenly remembered why he came back. And now he's left again. Fish, Odin! Fish please!
Well, I'm calling it a night. Have a good day all!
Thanks Annette for posting that Marge's OH did settle over the egg when she left. I am hoping that the egg will be OK after all as it has been left on two or three occasions that I have seen. Good job it has been it has been reasonably warm and dryy. Hope he now understands this is what he has to do.
Hello Margobird, will speak later.
Tish said: Odin then lets her take the fish very gently now he is twittering and doing his chores. Doctor today Cirrus.
Odin then lets her take the fish very gently now he is twittering and doing his chores.
Doctor today Cirrus.
Good afternoon tish hope doctor's visit went OK and how are your hands today.
Just watching EJ and she is sitting in the nest wonder if an egg is on the way.
Thanks to all for pics, links and all the news. So good to be able to catch up with everything when I have to go out.
OH is away from early Saturday until late Monday so I will be able to spend mega time watching EjJ and Odin. I feel a bit guielty if I spend too much time in the evenings and the weekends. Although he is interested in what is going on he doesn't have the time to watch it all.