I have been posting under "Worried About Small Chick". It was recommended to post here as well, for the record.
4/19/08
I haven't seen the small one do anything but raise it's head and every now and then scoot around the nest a little. That is usually in response to the other one stepping on it. I am absolutely amazed at the size difference today. The little one definitely looks failure to thrive. Something just isn't right with it. And, Mom seems to be aware of it as well.
Yes. That is one of the things that caught my attention right away! The size difference in the two. You should expect some, but not this much. Of course, we haven't really been able to view the baby as we have the older one. But, there is definitely a size difference. I saw the small on pushing up with its legs just now. It just didn't get any where. Like I mentioned in my other post, it looks like a failure to thrive. We see that in human babies. The big one is getting a little brave now. And, is making me terribly nervous watching it want to follow it's Mother.
5:05 She didn't feed the small one this time around.
5:10 Did anyone just see that? It looked like someone threw water at them. It hit the post across from the cam and startled Mother. The large baby was sleeping. The small one was stirring a bit. Did the small one defacate, you think? I didn't know it was so explosive, if that is what it was.
5:35 It looks as if she has a good sized bird for dinner. The large hawklet is eating large amounts. Sitting there like a little Buddah, it just about ate the whole bird. It even ate on it's own some of the time. I didn't see her feed Little Laz this time either. I know they care for the strongest of the brood first, but it is hard to watch. I think she knows what we suspect.
The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man. ~Author Unknown