It is fascinating to watch the parent birds when they've decided it's time for the nestlings to fledge.  First, the parents cut back on the feedings.  The nestlings' fear of starvation goes to war with their fear of jumping to their death.  Then, the parents will often suspend a delicious insect inside the doorway of the house -- just out of the nestlings' reach -- then fly off with it.  I've even seen a parent put the insect in the nestlings beak, only to quickly remove it.

For days, the parents will perch outside the house and call to the nestlings.  For days, I will be captivated by the drama.  The parents want to keep their family together, so once one nestling fledges -- they'd like them all to fledge.

But ... then ... there's often a stubborn one -- that kid who just won't leave home.  I presume the stubbornness has to do with age -- one nestling will generally be a full 24 hours younger than the oldest.  As you saw in "Nesting Challenges:  Nestlings Grow Fast", one more day of developmental growth in a 17-day cycle is huge!  

So ... one nestling just won't go.  It flaps and scurries up to the doorway, sometimes even standing half-in-half-out, then drops back down into the nest.  It is rather sad to watch one nestling sit all alone in the nest.  When night falls, I wonder what he is thinking.  His parents are quiet.  Does he think he has been abandoned?

When day breaks, the parents continue their incessant calling and then add fly-bys to the ritual -- as if to show the nestling what is expected. I am totally worthless on fledge days.  Every climb up into the doorway is hope ascending.  Every drop back down into the nest comes with a sigh.  For me, watching the last nestling fledge is both a sense of accomplishment and a sense of relief.  No harm came to the nestlings on my watch -- and my watch is over.  

And then, FINALLY, the nestling climbs up into the doorway and prepares to enter the great outdoors.