After an incubation period of anything from 17 to 21 days the eggs laid by the hen Java begin to hatch and grow

After an incubation period of anything from 17 to 21 days the eggs laid by the hen Java begin to hatch and grow and change at a fantastic rate. From the day it hatches the Java sparrow chick changes and grows, this page will hopefully show you how these changes happen on a daily basis in a photographic diary. Thus illustrating a large part of the development of the chick from hatching to fledging the nest!

Please remember to click on selected images (highlighted with red text) on this page to see a larger version, the new image will open up in a new window.

When the fully formed chick begins to escape from its shell it then embarks on a speedy journey to fledgling Java. Please read on below to track the first days of a Java sparrow chick.

click image to see a larger version

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About as long as my JSSUK badge.		Grown about 5mm longer in a day!		Getting as fat as my thumb? Not quite!
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A full crop can be seen on day 4.		All toes and claws developing well.		Click image to see eyes forming
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The JSSUK badge slowly disappears.		Click image to see growing wing quills.		The baby Javas eyes are opening.
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Feathers appearing on the chicks spine.		Close ring for 2007 is fitted.		Activity increasing on the chicks rump.
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Now it's the head feathers turn to show.		JSSUK badge is getting even smaller		Feathers shooting from the birds chest.
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More like a Porcupine at this stage.		Less flesh more feathers now!		Lighter feathers show on rump & flanks
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Java chick begins to nervously perch.		Belly of Java still bald.		Overall body getting good coverage.
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Javas feathers covering belly bald spot.		Wing development is nearly there.		Chin / under beak area feathering well.
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From this time, (23/24 days old) in the development of the Java chick it is has proved increasingly difficult to keep the bird steady for photography. Also it is very obvious that the at the latter stages of its growth the visible changes on the baby bird are not so easy to see, I suppose it gets to the stage where its size increasing is the main thrust of growth prior to its fledging. Will 1/NEZ/07 be a cock or a hen, we will see!				1/NEZ/07 is now out of the nest and looking good, a future show winner?
1/NEZ/07, above, is now virtually 100% moulted out, I am not sure of the sex yet but I am leaning towards it being a hen bird. Click image to see a larger version 2008 UPDATE Normal Java sparrow 1/NEZ/07 has turned out to be a hen as I had thought and hoped, she laid her first egg on January 6th 2008. Here's her first egg lain shown in the image below.

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