Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Carolina Chickadee Nest

First Fledge 2019: Bluebirds Claim the Title

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The three Eastern Bluebird nestlings in the West house took wing today marking The Retreat's First Fledge of 2019.

As shown in the series of photos, Dad Bluebird was hard at work coaxing his youngsters to brave that first leap.

First Fledge 2019 - Male Parent Coaxing
First Fledge 2019 - Dad Giving Instructions
First Fledge 2019 - Parent Coaxing

I've seen this coaxing go on for days, but this brood responded quickly!  The fledglings certainly didn't demonstrate strong flight, but it was a beautiful day here in Georgia and I expect to see them landing on the mealworm feeder in a couple weeks -- beaks wide open!

 

Meanwhile ...

Momma Chickadee (I assume a second pair in addition to the Adobe Chick) took up nest building in the East house in spite of its proximity to the new house construction on the lot next to mine.

The four House Finch nestlings are on fledge watch.  They should be gone by tomorrow.  As shown in the photo, this is a good thing as CLEARLY Finches don't do poop sacs!

Mom Chickadee and Her Cotton-ball Bedding

Momma Chickadee: Cotton Ball Bedding

Finches Don't Do Poop Sacs

House Finch Nestlings Clearly Don't do Poop Sacs

Nesting Challenges: Nestlings Grow Fast

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Nestlings grow fast -- really fast.  It makes sense that minimizing the time before nestlings are able to escape predators is linked to survival of the species.  To fuel this rapid growth, it takes a LOT of food.

Imagine having to feed your family-of-five every 30 minutes during daylight hours.  Further imagine that you and your spouse have to go out, hunt, capture and return home with these meals.  Finally, imagine that each hunting trip only yields food for one.  You can trust me on this one:  nestlings do not share!

At the time of year the Chickadee lays eggs, there are about 13.5 daylight hours/day.  So ... that's about 135 hunting trips per day.  Chickadees are smart.  They produce only one brood per year.

So here you go ... watch them grow ...

(If you are into counting, you will notice these pictures are from two different Chickadee nests.  We can sympathize with the parents of the family of 6!)

Day 1

Day 2

Day 9

Day 10

Day 13

Day 17