Follow Up on three nests

(Click picture for bigger view)
I did not get to the North side today, but the three South side nests are doing OK.

Box 2 has the nestlings that just opened their eyes and the feathers are coming along. The pin feathers contain the material to fold out to a full vane. The central stem is called a rachis and the feathery parts that will unfold from them are called barbs, Barbs attach to neighboring barbs to give a smooth surface. All baby birds have this yellow bill at this point.

The male parent is sitting at the box that they are in. They were not being fed anymore by noon, but will be fed more during the day.

Box 7 had the three nestlings last time and now has four nestlings. It's a big job to raise the head up and open the mouth for food and they caught on to the fact I had no food. Or perhaps they had just been fed and were resting.

Box 9 has quite developed birds. The feathers are part pins part feathers. They were not flapping their wings yet so I dared to open the door and look at them. If they are completely developed, they can flush out and leave a day or two early. It's best for them to be as fat as possible to survive the cold of the first night out. Fledging in the morning is good, gives them time to learn to fly.