June
4, 2003 -- Twelve Days Old He is becoming more playful and interested in his environment.
Today Baby Shadow pecked like a little woodpecker at the cardbox box that surrounds
his nest. He has grown extremely curious about everything! He keeps trying to
peek down in amongst the pieces of paper towel in his nest. We have been watching
carefully for signs of him prying with his beak, an innate behavior in European
starlings (wild starlings forcefully open their beaks to pry apart vegetation
and dirt when hunting insects.) This afternoon he stayed busy for a while pecking
at the paper in his nest. What a cutie!
Shadow loves being
held under anyone's neck for long naps and will fuss whenever he is placed back
into his nest. He cried out in his sleep this evening after we put him to bed,
and he sounded so pitiful that naturally I had to take him out and let him sleep
snuggled in my hands for several hours as I watched tv. We suspect that Shadow
may be entirely spoiled rotten.
I can
sit upright by myself now, but I am very wobbly, so mom must support me from
behind.
Sitting
at the computer with mom and supervising as she reads the Starling Talk board.
