The parents feed “Fledge” several times a day. (I have named the chick Fledge, it is a fledgeling so naturally the name chosen by me would be Fledge.)
They will continue to feed the chick throughout the day, for at least two weeks while the fledgeling is learning to forage for him/herself. (No way to tell the gender of the fledgeling as yet. Both sexes have the grey mottling on their back, and it takes about two to three years of age to attain adult plumage.)
Adult males develop a bright, clean white back or pure white nape/shoulders, whereas adult females retain grey or mottled feathers on their back and neck.
I watched Fledge manage a 100-metre flight yesterday, continually rising, ending up in a tree where bub spent the night.
So, growing up quickly.
Eventually, as foraging skills are honed, the parents will feed it less and less. There will come a day when Fledge will be discouraged from begging to be fed by pecking at him/her.
The chick will get the hint and move out into the world to make its own way. Starting a family so the cycle of life will continue.
