Kestrel Dad Learns to Feed his Chicks After Becoming Sole Parent | Mr & Mrs Kes | Robert E Fuller
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
- Male kestrels are known for being pretty useless when it comes to feeding their chicks. They normally just bring in the food and dump it, leaving it to the female to serve dinner to their growing family. But Mr Kes has been learning the skill of tearing up small portions after his partner Mrs Kes disappeared this week.
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This male kestrel is trying to brood
Mr Kes, a long-term resident of my North Yorkshire garden, has also tried brooding his clutch in a desperate attempt to keep them warm. Again this behaviour is unheard of among male kestrels and he's having limited success.
Kestrel chicks
The kestrel chicks have been alone for three days now and without food and some way of keeping warm they were unlikely to survive. Mr Kes' actions may well save their lives.
Mrs Kes
Their mother Mrs Kes fled the area after getting into a fight with resident tawny owls. She briefly returned to the nest entrance after the first day, but did not go inside and has not been seen since.
Defying wildlife experts
Male kestrels are not known to feed or brood chicks after they have hatched. Their job normally is just to deliver the food to the nest. In similar circumstances, kestrel chicks have been known to die surrounded by food because the males continue to deliver prey items into the nest but do not tear it up into sizes small enough for them to eat.
Mr Kes gets worried
To begin with this was also how Mr Kes behaved. He delivered more than 25 voles and rodents and heaped them around the chicks. He grew increasingly confused, going in and out of the nest and calling for the female and listening out for her.
Then slowly learns what to do
But by the afternoon of the second day, he happened to deliver a lizard and one of the kestrel chicks managed to swallow it whole. It was as if this male kestrel seemed to realise that chicks can manage if they get smaller items. And so then, on his next visit, Mr Kes tore up a vole and managed to feed each chick in turn.
Three chicks still in extensive care
Of the pairs' six chicks, only three are currently in the nest and being cared for by Mr Kes. I took the other three into my care after their first night alone. These three were very weak and would not have survived otherwise.
Night care
I wanted to see if Mrs Kes would come back since these chicks need every opportunity to be brought up wild, but it was too dangerous to leave them alone in the nest overnight when temperatures plummet and tawny owls are on the prowl. So I took all six in overnight and then returned the healthier three back to the nest at dawn the following day.
Second day alone
Throughout the next day I deliberately left the three chicks alone in the hope that they would call out in hunger to Mr Kes
What's next
Now that, Mr Kes is trying to feed the chicks, I’ve decided to give him the time to learn how to master it. However I will continue to bring them in at night to keep them safe. If things go well I may swap some of the chicks in my care with some from the nest so that they each get a chance to experience life in the wild with Mr Kes.
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I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers.
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I am really impressed how seriously Mr. Kes takes his role as a father. He gives everything he can and grows every day at his tasks, very amazing. I hope so much that the chicks pull through. And maybe Mrs. Kes will come back too. Mr. Kes is my hero 👑🌟
Absolutely sublime parenting Mr Kes🎀‼️I am praying your partner is going to return soon to help.. I know you miss her.. 💔
He certainly could teach and thing or two to some human dads! ;)
So we'll put! I love this comment! Go Mr. Kes! Show the world how truly amazing you are! #teamkestrels
Could not agree more..Mr Kes is indeed a marvel ❤️💚🤗🥀‼️
@@kyndness these videos should be shown to children from birth to 5th grade. We would likely see better parenting when they become adults.
I am so proud of Mr Kes, I think that lizard 🦎was the eureka moment for him and he realised small morsels were what the chicks needed. Watching him for the first time ripping the prey into tiny pieces and tenderly feeding them to his babies brought tears to my eyes (and still does every time I see nim feed them.) What an incredible bird he is. Please don't take them away from him, I think it would break his little heart💔..
It was like he went, "Ah, smaller food... I could break it up for them!"
He is such a good father. Hopefully, with a little help, or even entirely by himself, he'll have his brood raised into healthy and ready fledglings.
Little Tee.... I agree, he is learning so quickly, and hopefully as they grow stronger and able to swallow prey whole, his job will get a little easier. Mr Kes is one very special bird. I am so glad REF has decided to give him the chance to raise his chicks ( I hadn't read the supporting text when I wrote my message above).
agreed! he saw how the chick gulped down the lizard and must've realized they need to eat SMALL things. Mr kes is very smart! i think he's going to see his chicks grow
I hope he doesn't get too stressed out. I read in one of the comments on Facebook that the same happened to the birds they were watching and one day the father just fell and died.
Every hour, every day, Mr. Kes & REF are getting those baby kestrels one step closer to being independent! #teamkestrels
This is the first time I see a single male trying to raise his chick on his own
I seen many careful dads in nest cam, but this is unique
All hopes goes to this family
I wonder what caused this Kestrel to change like this.
Usually male animals would go “buy some milk” whenever they are suddenly left to take care of their offsprings in their own.
@@Zack_Zander Not really birds often take care of the chicks together, Dad hunts mom feeds but sometimes (not often) they even switch.
@@Zack_Zander in most animals the males take a very active role in parenting, with literally carrying the fetuses in the case of the seahorse. Animals where the males don't parent aren't really in the majority.
As for humans its entirely society dictated, but in out most "natural" state we form tribes where all the tribe raises the children
This is unironically absolutely incredible adaptive behaviour, ive never seen something like this before, hope dad keeps up the good work!
He's impressive
@gab hug it's just adaptability and intelligence, evolution happens over many generations
Such a good ‘man’ Mr. Kes. He’s also ripping apart the food now for his chicks. He must be really sad without Mrs. Kes and doing more work without her. He learns quickly. Respect! I hope Mrs. Kes will return.
Good news! Robert posted an update that he has seen Mrs. Kes at the nest entrance looking well. Hopefully she’ll return to help Mr. Kes!
@@lotuslady9821 What? Mrs Kes has been sighted @"the entrance?? Sending prayers that she may fully return. 🙏 🙏 🙏Prince Charming still needs his queen 😘🎀
@@kathleenmccaffery1313 I saw an update about it but haven’t seen anything else other than all the babies being returned to the nest.
@@lotuslady9821 Thanks Lotus Lady. This story has enriched my life! 💕🎀
So Mrs. Kes just did a runner???? I wonder why? Nature usually knows best. Was it weakness she detected in the chicks or herself?
How intelligent is Mr Kes - he’s really trying to figure out how to do the female role. Brains and instinct together - nature is always amazing ❤️
Oh my goodness.... This is truly incredible. First, attempting to brood them, now learning to rip the food into small bites for them. Seeing this male kestral learn female behaviors to care for his chicks is awe inspiring.
But did they survive?
@@lauralishes1 with the help from their 2nd father Robert they eventually did. then mr kes learnt and adapt over time to feed them smaller prey like some gecko
@@rovanajean9550 That's good to know! I'm so glad Robert helped them survive. I hate when people say "should just let nature take it's course." Why watch them starve to death if you can do a little something to help.
@@lauralishes1 Yes but Robert only intervenes when it's the survival of the brood (like helping the parents by setting the places or occasionally throw in some food 😂) but he has his limits as they let the animals decide for themselves. For example with most videos I see there's always that one owlet that's the weakest that dies due to sibling rivalry or parents' carelessness, just natural causes. To me this is the perfect balance for human's helping hand and he clearly knows his stuff very well 👏👏
Its not "female behaviour" birds usually raise their chicks together. The birds where only the female raises the chicks are staggeringly few. Animals that do that are generally in the minority
This turned me into a puddle of tears;
_I just knew he wouldn’t be able to give up on them!_
Me too .
He's no stranger to love.
Yup, Mrs. Kes choose well!
Can we also notice how proficient of a hunter he is
Being able to consistently return with meals on an HOURLY basis, the sheer amount of raw hunting instinct that must take is amazing. What an amazing dad this guy is.
Good dad providing for his family...
He is dad of the year ❤️
I choose Luna for the mom of the year
@@user-lq4ct6dr5m luna is/was amazing❤️
What about me?
I remember I have changed my baby's diaper in January
This is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. ❤️ Mr. Kes is truly a great father.
He truly is.
Birds are incredibly intelligent. To see this male problem solve from visual observations is truly impressive. It would be interesting to see if males from this batch will continue forward with this learned behaviour.
Poor little man... He loves his babies so much and I'm so proud of him for rising to the challenge of single fatherhood.
His mind is set . This is all he cares about right now such a sweet dedicated father
Mr. Mom!
Mr Kes is devoted to his chicks. 😍 Amazing how he was willing to learn and adapt to feed them. Thank you for helping them out!
Way to go Mr Kes. He's trying his best. At least they're getting something, even if he hasn't broken up every kill. Swallowing the lizard whole was pretty impressive! I'm surprised that chick could ask for more like the other 2 lol
I couldn’t believe what my own two eyes were seeing when I saw that chick swallow the grown lizard whole! Unreal! I have never seen anything like that before; that’s for sure. I honestly didn’t think it was physically possible for a chick to eat something of that big size in one big gulp.
What a hero! The chicks are looking good so far. I do hope Mum is OK and will return tho. For now Dad is trying so hard!
Mrs Kes is okay she was spotted at the entrance but never came in
She must be traumatized be cuz she had a fight with tawny owls
@@velarde3412 she’s been gone for 3 days
@@Borninthe80s. there's a news but sadly the mother was alive but she never Came back she have forgotten she has Chicks
Mr Kes is the best, I pray Mrs Kes will be ok…..thanks for all you’re doing to help him Robert and team xxxxx
I think she's OK, just needs time to readjust, she was spooked pretty bad
What happened?
@@RachelG1979 Mrs. Kes got into a fight with some owls and they drove her away from the nest, forcing her to leave her chicks to the male.
She was spotted later but hasn't returned to the nest yet
@@tite93 Yes, I read that in the description. It's strange that she went back to the safety of the nest, but still abandoned the chicks anyway. She's been seen in the area, too. I wonder if that's normal behavior. It will be extremely interesting to see what happens next
@@LA_HA maybe she was afraid she could lead the owls to her chicks that way
What a good daddy! He is doing his best!
That is a miracle.
I was lucky enough to watch this on live yesterday. Mr. Kes is really trying his best to keep the chicks at bay. I'm still hopeful that Mrs. Kes would return to her chicks and the family be completed once again.
It was the most beautiful moment wasnt it, I was crying at him having to do it, learning to do it & pull it off ❤️ Dad of the century ❤️
Mr. Kes coming through for Father of the Year ♥
Way to go, Mr. Kes! Here's hoping they continue to thrive and grow healthy.
You need to set out some special food for this amazing Dad on Father's Day, Robert.
What a terrific Daddy bird! So full of love for his babies.
Those chicks are lucky to have a father as clever and hardworking as Mr. Kes!
Isn’t he doing well
omg, so touch... there are so many foods for chicks, he eventually figured out how to feed chicks wonderful father
Mr Kes is such a good dad, i feel bad for him but he is truly doing all he can to see his chicks become big and strong.
He is doing well one chick has now fledged
Hope your doing alright Robert, it mustve been so exhausting wondering about the kestrel family all night, we're really grateful of you and hope things will get better 🥰
Well said! 👍💞
Amen to that, Rosenia... REF... It is outstanding all you share with us & we hear you are doing !
Echo that. REF can't have had much sleep at all that first week, even less than usual.
I hope everything goes well for the baby's and they live to adulthood.
This is amazing 😭
He's still clumsy about it and definitely isn't 100% there yet but the fact he did rip one of the rodents into smaller pieces and actually fed it to his chicks shows he's understanding more instead of being confused. I hope he continues to learn but it's nice knowing Rob is around to help out.
It's a unique privilege we're all being given to see such rare behaviour up close and personal. I can't think of any other place I'd rather be. Thank you Robert for making it possible.
Like a good dad his kids come first. Love from Florida, U.S.A
Hello dear how are you?
Thank you and bless you for taking care of them!
this is a loving miracle 😍
Absolutely incredible that you could capture these unique moments in wildlife
I literally had tears I was so touched. Mr Kes is a super Dad and what he is doing is almost unheard of. Brooding AND feeding 🥳🤗
I'm glad the chicks have both you and Mr Kes
That could be a step of evolution right there, later in the future all male kestrels would be able to feed their chicks like the females did (when they have to). Keep going Mr Kes~ Stay strong and healthy~
Yes!! Excellent Comment!! ❤️
all might be too ambitious, but it definitely could change the minds of these chicks!
i imagine the males (if any) of this nest would grow up thinking "well, my dad fed us too, so maybe so should i!"
if their respective mates would allow it... i mean, looking at the other kestrel pair, Athena would likely have none of that from Apollo haha 😆
bh.
Do you think his male keslets will learn from him and can feed their own youngins in the future?
@@girliepopcornpiggy7003 That's how adaptive behaviors work.
i don't think i've ever been more reassured (not to mention educated) by a youtuber's note. i'm sending ALL the good thoughts Mr Kes' way - what a trooper
heck yeah go Mr. Kes! Learn, adapt, and overcome like all strong animals do! I hope he continues to succeed as him being willing to learn and change his instinctive behavior is how animals continually evolve to fit a changing world around them. They're so much smarter than most people give them credit for.
I'm so glad to see how this story is developing!
I still remember Mr Kes just laying a rodent on top of his chicks in his previous nest. He has stepped up to the role as a sole parent and really shows nature's ability to adapt.
Still I hope Mrs Kes comes back.
Thank you for sharing, makes it even more impressive how he's taking care of the chicks now..
@TigerEyes
Read the description. :)
@TigerEyes
No problem. :)
Hr.Kes. is learning :) He has to work on the portion sizing lol but he is stepping up :) I hope Mrs. Kes is able to return to her family.
Oh the joys and blessings of the animal world is astonishing. This is simply amazing and definitely a beautiful thing. Obviously this father takes his role seriously and his offspring as well. I'm impressed with him. Well done mr.kes. 👏
Just goes to show that a parents love for their children is universal
He's doing so good and I love him...
I am so hoping Mr. Kes is successful raising his chicks. He's trying so hard to feed them and keep them warm. After losing Mrs. Kes, losing them will break his heart.
By the way, I read your plan in the description, you're doing a great job. My respect 👏
Mr Kes has put up a valiant effort to save his family, and I'm so happy it's paying off! With a little back-end support from REF, I've got confidence these chicks are going to make it.
I hope the weaker trio can rejoin the nest soon.
Fatherhood defined in a single video. Nature teaches us a lot about how to be good parents.
Fantastic to see Mr Kes like this! He is really amazing 🥰🌟
This made me cry 😢 good job daddy❤️
My great respect for Mr Kes, he's such a great husband and an amazing Dad ! My prayers for them everything will be fine and family reunion very soon !😢
I was glued to the live stream for the past couple of days, and I am so happy for Mr Kes and his youngsters!!! 😍 As I became a full-time single mother when my girl was a baby, and enourmous bird lover, I am so moved to see Mr Kes learning to do this all by himself... He beat Luna becoming my favourite bird! 😍🥰❤️ Thank you Robert for all your beautiful videos!
A moment of silence for the wild animals who do not have a Robert Fuller.
Perhaps it is time for us to do as you do.
Amazing!
Mr Kes is feeding babies and even shredding!
Wow.
Hope everything is going well for the gorgeous Kestrel family.
Thank you l, Mr Fuller!
Absolutely amazing! What a super dad he is
What an amazing development. Gives me goosebumps! Mr. Kes is awesome. ❤️❤️❤️
Oh my goodness….I am in tears here. What an awesome Dad. Those babies crops are filling up
I hope mommy Kestrel comes back to her babies. God bless Mr. Kestrel 💕
Oh, that is just heartwarming. He will keep his babies alive and they will fledge! How wonderful.
Never thought i'd be so proud of a wild animal
I know hasn’t he done so well just fabulous
Poor Mrs Kes sad she has gone
💥💥 And the father of the year award goes too.....
Wonder what will happen next year when Mr. Kes finds a new Mrs. Kes and offers to help feed the chicks. Wow! What a concept!
My therapist uses David Attenborough's wonderful films for biofeedback work. We often talk about how intelligent and adaptable all kinds of creatures are and how humans don't give them enough credit. I can't wait to tell him about Mr. Kes, a perfect example. Watching him go from clueless to adept with no coaching is just marvelous.
These three look good, reading through your notes (thank you for those!) it seems you have a solid plan in place for all to survive and thrive. Your attention to the details of their care will definitely help them thrive.
I cried a little x) He is such a great hunter,and I am so glad that all of that isn't in vein.
Mr Kes is just an amazing bird who loves his kids so much he will do anything for them. So beautiful 😍
Hes such a good dad!
What an amazing experience to watch this! He changes his normal actions to be able to save his babies, and that's mind-blowing! It's so very, very cool that you could catch this happening in real time, too - thank you!
It is incredible to watch him - totally unusual behaviour for the male to do this.
That was some very quick learning! :O
Holy Jesus!
Only took him 3 houres and 1 breakthrough.
Now I see an example of one dad that doesn't go out to get milk and never return. This is wholesome and thanks to you for documenting and saving the rest of the chicks.
Hasn’t Mr Kes done well I’m going to put the other chicks in and see if he can raze all 6 😉
@@RobertEFuller Make another video please! I'm so invested in this family now lol
What a great dad! I hope his special characteristics get passed on to his beautiful offspring!
I'm so happy your their to help Robert. And to document such unique behavior.
It was so incredibly special to see this happen live.
This is very unique! Thanks for giving us a inside look at wildlife.
Really hope Mrs. Kes returns okay and that all the chicks grow up healthy, thank you for taking the time to look after them.
Look at you Mr kes I am so proud of you
Good Job Dad!! Best wishes to Mr Kes, Mrs Kes and the chicks
"Fathers are not second-class parents."
Truest saying from Judge Judy I've ever heard 💯💯💯💯
Mr Kes is first Class 😆
0:50 The "EUREKA MOMENT" that changed everything! When Mr. Kes's gave the small lizard 🦎 to one of his keslets! That moment will go down in history! Amazing to be able to watch this moment so clearly on video with sound! Great accomplishment REF!
Wasn’t it great watching him learning how to feed them we were all willing him on to succeed and prove any doubters wrong Who said you can’t teach a d kestrel new tricks
@@RobertEFuller what an amazing moment in History! And look at the now! All 6 of Daddy Kes.s chicks are ready to fledge! Amazing! And a huge thank you for all of your help and amazing camera work!
Fascinating to see the process of Mr. Kes learning how to take care of the babies.
This is amazing! Nearly brings tears to my eyes. Mr. K has really risen to the occasion. ❤️
god, the desperation and love Mr. Kes has for his chicks gets me every time
Can't imagine the stress of this beautiful bird especially as prey is scarce and his life partner is gone. Thank you for your unswerving commitment and life's work. It's amazing what you do and bring to the world. It changes people's lives
The father's day content we all want to see.
omg MY HEART!!!!!! He is the most amazing kestrel on the face of the earth!!!! Go Mr. Kes!!!! Ok, I'm gonna go cry now! That was beautiful!!!
My tears are flowing when watching and writing this. Thank you Robert E F for posting this video, and for all the hard work you do!
Mr Kes is amazing, outstanding, remarkable, impressive! Words fail me. He is doing the impossible as a sole Kestrel male and dad! I admire, respect and love him so much.
It is an honour to be able to watch this. I am so touched.
Please, may the kislets grow, survive and become healty, strong and happy adult Kestrels!
My thoughts also go to the beloved Mrs Kes. She must have been through a severe trauma causing her to become a stranger, leave her chicks and stay away from the nest. I hope so much that she will heal and recover, to become herself again.
With much love to Robert E Fuller, and to the entire Kes family.
❣❤🌿🌹🌿❤❣
Thank you Robert for the video & description of what's been going on. Mr K seems to be learning how to feed the chicks & still praying Mrs K will return.
It is amazing watching Mr Kes he doing a grand job. He is an extra special bird x
This is incredibile. I hope Mom will come back to babies, they need her.
Great team work of Mr Kes and you - such amazing work, I hope all will be well soon!
He just chugged the mice at their feet like „Now what? Is there a button to insert or something? Meh, i‘ll get some more mice first and figure out later“ 😂
Absolute cutiepie and a very good hunter it seems.
Glad you support him on his journey of single parenthood. 👍
Mr Kes is the dad we all wish we could have had! What a power-dad! 😍
I’m so proud of you, Mr Kes. You are both smart, attentive and caring! Your keslings are very lucky to have you as a father 🤗❤️
Thank you Robert for sharing their story with us! And thank you for all the hard work you’re doing! You are just as much of a dad to the keslings as Mr Kes is, in terms of care and willingness to go above and beyond to help these little ones. Thank you for all that you do 😌👏
that's a rare and impressing behaviour from a male kestrel!
Oh wow, this magical. Go Mr Kes! What a great father! Thank you for sharing this!
Just so amazing! He’s a super dad! Have I missed what ended up happening to his mate after her run-in with the owl?
Mrs Kes came back the following day but she looked nervous and left right away, there's no more sighting of her after that. She's last seen on May 12
@@joane20280519 Thanks for the update 🤗 So sad but I’m happy Mr Kes is able to cope.
How amazing to see the dad kes feeding the chicks.