Baby buzzards self-feeding

The Cornell Red-tailed hawk chicks are learning to handle prey items and eat on their own.

[Warning that most of the screenshots will show prey, including ones where it's not the focus]

First a bit of allopreening from K-2 to youngest chick K-3.

And toe nibbles for big sibling K-1.

K-1 finds a chipmunk carcass in the nest, and starts toying with it. The prey didn't get eaten, but it's a step in that direction, with the chicks taking notice of that the stuff lying around in their nest is food and that they may not have to wait for mom if they want to eat.

K-2. Also, chipmunk.

K-3, too, digs up something from the pantry.

It's half of a small bird. K-3 tries to tear pieces out of it for a while, but then realizes it's already a mouthful.

Down the hatch.

Good job, little one!

Sleepy K-3.

Mom comes home for a feeding, making sure the kids get something to eat while their self-feeding attempts have varying levels of success.

A nice, thorough preening after a meal, what's better than that.