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"Little Grebe Parenting, Sequel" Part 2, Nest Building

Updated: Aug 12, 2022


This blog introduces the breeding and child-rearing struggle of little grebes that bred in Inokashira Park in 2018.


The chicks who had been observing the previous year were wiped out. Let's see the whole story until the chicks grow up well this year! I started writing this blog.


The foundation is essential for building a solid nest, "Yokorasho!" With all your might, and the partner has a rest during that time April 29



Last time, I covered the first spawning of Little Grebes at Inokashira Park this year.

This time, I will go back a little and take a look at the situation before spawning.


 


A pair of little grebe couples territorial near the gourd bridge.


After deciding where to build the nest, the two couples started building the nest in cooperation.


When I'm resting too much, I get angry with "Here, work!"

She thought she would put the nest material in her nest and threw it at her partner who wasn't resting and working.

"Don't rest so much, help me!" She says.

She probably doesn't work much because she's a female and is ready to lay eggs in her tummy.


After taking a rest, such a female also worked hard with her partner to build her nest.

One of them, despite building her nest, when she had free time, went to a place of concern and appealed to her partner.

That is the place where the little grebe built its nest last year.

I think it's the male who cares about the place, so I'll call it the male.


"Let's go here!" Or swim strangely and call a partner, but it was completely ignored April 26th



It's interesting to see her wings and legs fluttering "Bashabasha!" And insisting on her partner "Let's go here!".


The male seemed to be more concerned about that, and said, "Let's build a nest here!"

He squeals and slams, but his partner almost ignores it.


He had no choice but to return to his partner and work hard to reinforce the nest he was building.

Is it only the caretaker who feels that the female has the initiative to choose a nesting site?

It seems that both couples need to agree on the nesting site of the little grebe, and even if they like one, if they don't like the other, they will go somewhere without knowing it.


Even with both agreements, it seems that males have no choice but to obey females.

Females may have the initiative in breeding, and males that do not lay eggs are likely to have no choice but to obey.


Eggs and chicks are always targeted by foreign enemies, so you must be careful when choosing a nesting site.

Even if they are not attacked by foreign enemies, the chicks are at risk of life if the nest collapses.

It is necessary to consider the details such as dealing with wind and rain, fluctuations in water level, and difficulty in approaching foreign enemies.

The success of parenting depends greatly on the location of the nest.



It seems that each couple has a different favorite place, but the difference is the nest where each couple was born and raised, and the nest where they were able to raise their children well.

It is probably based on the experience and intuition that has survived numerous crises until it has grown to this point.



As of May 8, Inokashira Park, where two pairs have already begun to incubate.

There are two pairs who have not yet selected a place to build a nest.


The partners disagree, and they seem to like different places, so they can't agree with each other.

Appeal to your partner by going to your favorite place and crying or carrying nest material,

If the other party agrees, it will be decided on that place.


 

A pair that makes Nanai Bridge a territory.

Will a couple near Nanai Bridge build a nest here? The bush is too close and I feel it is dangerous

It seems that the yab is too dark and close here. It seems to be vulnerable to various dangers such as snakes, night herons, crows, but is it decided at this place?


It seems that the partner still likes the cattail bush on the opposite bank.

I kept crying in the bush for a while, but it was completely ignored by the other party.

Experience, wisdom, and agreement between partners seem to be important in choosing a nesting site for little grebes.

Again, it seems that the female is in control.






to be continued


 

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