Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Bluebird

Nesting Challenges: Boomerang Kids

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There are many lessons I could learn from bird parents.  How to deal with Boomerang Kids (the kids who comes back home as adults) is one such lesson.

Take the Carolina Wren parents as an example.  In the featured video, the parents call a fledgling back to the nest — tucking him in for the cold spring night.  The next morning, however, it’s back out into the real world — forever.  Yah, I got that wrong.

Next up in the video is the Bluebird family.  The first brood has fledged and egg-laying is complete for Brood #2.  A juvenile from Brood #1 shows up at the house — perching there with Daddy Bluebird.  They pretty much just look at each other.  Then Momma Bluebird shows up.  That’s another lesson I didn’t get right.  Momma Bluebird bars the door — no Boomerang Kids in this house!

Nesting Challenges: Bluebird Wayward Child

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When watching nestlings fledge, it’s all about trajectory.  Gaining elevation upon takeoff generally means the nestling is mature and made it to a neighboring shrub or tree.  (Yay!)  When I see a nestling flutter to the ground upon takeoff, I share the parent-birds’ concern.  The ground is not a safe place for nestlings.  The parents will immediately coax a grounded nestling into elevated vegetation.

I don’t want to shock you, but I have been known to run outside to ensure a nestling doesn’t remain on the ground.  It’s a silly practice as I have yet to beat the parents to the rescue.

The Bluebird Wayward Child

In the featured video, a Bluebird Wayward Child (just-fledged from a nearby birdhouse) defiantly flapped-off his dad’s efforts to get him off the ground.  Dad tried coaxing him with food, pounding him on the head, and chest-bumping him onto a better path — to no avail.  Along the way, Wayward Child clumsily investigated the birdbath. (Horrors!  Songbirds don’t swim!)  He moved on — meeting a brilliant, red Cardinal and a big, fat Mourning Dove.  He was undaunted.

You will see the fledgling take flight at the end of the video clip — directly toward the swimming pool.  It’s amazing how fast an old human can move — down to the pool I went!  Wayward Child just looked up at me; curious and unafraid.  His lack of fear frightened me — birds are supposed to be afraid of humans!!  As I stood there deciding what to do next, Daddy Bluebird went into attack mode — diving at me without hesitation.  Momma Bluebird followed close behind.  Wayward Child just sat there (on the ground!) watching the excitement.

We stared at each other, the Wayward Child and I.  Neither of us had a clue what to do with the other.  Thankfully, I was relieved of guard duty soon thereafter.  Wayward Child took flight away from the pool.  My work was done.  The next time I saw him, weeks later, he was flying strong to the worm feeders with his family.  I love teamwork!