Nest observation: Bananaquit!

Bananaquits (Coereba flaveola) are known as Bakbatitri (Suriname) or Suikerdiefje (Nederland). They are common widespread little birds who are not afraid of other bigger birds (tanagers or flycatchers)

They favor nectar from blossoming flowers or the juice from berries. The fearless ones even treat themselves on sugar directly from (coffee) tables. Luckily for us, Kabalebo's bananaquits are either well-behaved birds or they haven't discovered the sugar pot (yet!)

The Bananaquit is a small active bird, who usually forages alone or in pairs. For years I have been observing and photographing these tiny agile buddies. Even though I see them on a daily basis, they are still fascinating (just like all the other birds) for me. On many occasions I saw them building nests, but none of them were actually used for nesting. It seems that these birds also make dummy nests as a distraction (smart little fellows)

For weeks I was checking this nest, but it was never used for nesting.

Luckily I was finally rewarded with a real nest. The Bananaquit is an ingenious architect; a handful of dry grass/cotton between 2 branches with side-entrance (so the eggs/chicks are well protected against the sun/rain)

At first I thought that it was abandoned, but I was wrong.

The nest was right next to the lodge stairs, so it was easy for me to take notes (after every 2 days):

12.11.14: Here I saw the Bananaquit in its nest.

12.11.14: meanwhile both eggs had hatched

15.11.14: here you can see that their eyes are already open

17.11.14: their feathers are starting to grow nicely

19.11.14: the colors (black/yellow) are now visible

21.11.14: both are starting to look like a young Bananaquit

The next day, 22.11.14, they both flew out of the nest. It was indeed a short but educational observation.