May 10, 2001: Happy Birthday Again! The first
feathers to grow on these babies are called down feathers. Down
is fuzzy and warm, but doesn't look like real feathers yet! Also, notice
how these feathers don't cover the birds' entire bodies. They only grow
in special areas called feather tracts. The very first feathers
grow on the back because the tummy and sides are pressed tight against
the nest and the other nestlings. The back is the place where insulation
is most important on a nestling.
Discussion of Previous Questions Q. What three things do these two newly hatched baby robins already know how to do? They know how to
Q. How can the nest and other babies stay clean when one baby robin poops? Healthy nestlings produce poop that is encased in a fecal sac, that works like a disposable diaper bag and keeps all the poop inside! To learn more, look at Journey North's Fecal Sac Lesson
See the next Robin Nest Photo Lesson and discussion of today's questions. |