Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

One Second Fledge: Five Phoebes … One Second

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The Eastern Phoebe nestlings set a new record ... the One Second Fledge ... all five in just over one second.

The poor parent Phoebes had been trying to coax the nestlings out of the nest for days.  It was clear the youngsters were more than mature enough to leave, but they held on ... for days.  Then, on the morning of April 26, they were off -- all five, almost simultaneously.

This wasn't the usual fledge ... one at a time ... fluttering to the nearest shrub.  Oh, no ... these guys flew around the alcove where their nest was located before skillfully exiting stage left.

In the next post, I will reveal my newest "invention" -- a THEORETICALLY snake-proof nesting platform.  It's now in place and has been adopted by the Phoebe parents.  Snake test to follow -- about 100% likely.

Because I installed a new platform, I removed all of my prior platforms/snake detergents ... including the camera on which the Phoebes built the nest from which the five nestlings launched in April.  This provided an opportunity for detailed pictures (shown below) of the nest.

Funny how birds incorporate an assortment of materials into the construction.

Phoebe Nest: 5 Inches Across

Phoebe Nest Cup: Only 1/2 Inch Deep

Phoebe Nest: Mud, Moss & More Mud

Phoebe Nest: A Few of my Favorite Things

Creative Fledging — House Finch Style

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The House Finch nestlings met expectations by beginning to fledge on schedule -- April 18.  What wasn't expected was the measure of Creative Fledging this brood of 4 displayed.  As I went back through the recorded footage to capture the fledge highlights for you, I had to chuckle at the vast differences ... and the antics of the fourth of four as s/he clung to the security of the nest.

 

Meanwhile ...

Migration is in full swing.  I promise pictures in the coming days as it is so delightful to see all the colors of spring reappear!

The Bluebirds in the north house fledged (well and strong), watering the flowers uncovered the Carolina Wren's second clutch of 5 eggs in the Boston Fern, both Bluebird pairs have completed building nest #2, and the entire brood of Eastern Phoebe nestlings are being TOTALLY defiant of their parents instructions to FLEDGE ALREADY!  Their stories will follow soon.