Time To Play!   The following morning, instead of waiting for Mom to feed him, one chick dances over to a perch close to the nest and wipes his beak, preparatory to leaping down to the food plate on his own. His sister is still preening, and just watches - but in another few moments, she too will have followed his lead, and left the nest. They will continue to come and go for a few days yet, using the nest as a secure retreat and resting spot.

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