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Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

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Male Eastern Bluebird – Active Parent

April 22, 2018 by MoJo

The Male Eastern Bluebird is a very active parent.  He tends the nest (whether or not his mate welcomes it), tends to his mate, guards the nest box, feeds the nestlings, and does his share of diaper duty.  As I've shared in a prior post, the songbird nestlings I have observed excrete their waste in "poop sacks" which are then removed by the parent birds and deposited some distance from the nest.

In the feature video, you will see Dad Bluebird performing a variety of these functions.  You will also see him feeding tiny hatchlings -- carefully keeping his "huge" feet spread wide and away from the nest cup.  He's a good dad!

https://www.feathersandfuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Active-Parent-Video.m4v

 

Meanwhile, back at the birdbath -- another spring color-treat appeared:  a pair of male Scarlet Tanagers.  I know they are summer residents in Georgia, but I've never seen one before.  Best I can tell, it was a one-time visit.  They must have just been passing through.  Oh well.  I'll just focus on the joy of their visit.  (Note in the side-flight picture how the male's black tail is oriented perpendicular to the ground and both wings are pointed right.  He actually launched upside down from the side of the birdbath and rolled into a normal flight posture.  I'll share the video with you when nesting season slows down.)

Scarlet Tanager Males - 19 Apr 18

Male Scarlet Tanagers

Scarlet Tanager - Side Flight

Scarlet Tanager - Side Flight

Filed Under: Bluebird, Feathers Tagged With: Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Bluebird Parenting, Scarlet Tanager

Carolina Chickadee Parents Making Baby Food

April 18, 2018 by MoJo

I am officially 0 for 5 on predicting hatch dates

The Chickadees hatched one day ahead of schedule and the rural Bluebird's eggs cracked open two days early.  Needless to say, there's a feeding frenzy across the property!  When nestlings first hatch, they are ready to eat -- constantly.  The issue is ... their portions must be very small.  As you will see in the feature video, bird parents are adept at making baby food for their infants.

Meanwhile, Momma Tufted Titmouse has begun building her nest in one of the larger, owl houses just vacated by a flying squirrel family.  Let's hope the flying squirrels don't return for a visit anytime soon!!

Pile of Chickadees

Carolina Chickadee Hatchlings

Bluebird S Hatchlings

"Rural" Bluebird Hatchlings

 

https://www.feathersandfuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Baby-Food-Video.mp4

Official On-Camera Count:  6 Nests, 24 Hatchlings

Filed Under: Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Feathers Tagged With: Carolina Chickadee Parenting, Making Baby Food

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