Nest observation: Silver-beaked tanagers!

Silver-beaked tanagers are one of the easy recognizable birds in Kabalebo. Noisy dominant birds who will start the day excitingly and end it the same way. As they aren't shy to be near humans, they feast on most of the fruits closeby or enjoy their meal on their own buffet. For the silver-beaked tanager, food isn't scarce as they can live from rice, bread, fruit, nectar and insects. 


Since they are present all year long, finding a nest isn't very difficult at all. 


On October 20, 2014 I discovered one of their nest while watering the plants of the lodge. It was well-hidden between the leaves. The nest was well-built (coconut dry leaves, dry grass, moss and cotton) Inside the nest I spotted 2 blue eggs covered with dark spots. Only the female was spotted in or near the nest.

The Silver-beaked tanager built her nest close to the lodge, about 1 minute walk, so I could check on her any time of the day.

This is the spot where I found the nest. Hidden very well.

Here you can see that the female was in her nest.

October 22, 2014: there were still 2 eggs inside the nest. The female was out, probably on a break. During the night we had a heavy rainfall.


October 23, 2014: great news …. both eggs had hatched. The mother was nowhere to be found, she was probably looking for food for her chicks. I had a quick peek as one opened it's beak to be fed. Thought that it's mom returned.

October 26 - October 29, 2014: gradually both chicks started to grow into beautiful healthy little birds. With an abundance of food supply nearby, neither the mother nor her chicks were starving.

November 11, 2014: another great news to announce …. both chicks flew out, leaving another empty nest behind.

Found one near the lodge. For the next couple of weeks it still will be fed by its mother, but sooner or later it will also become independent.