Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Eastern Phoebe Nest

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

Eastern Phoebe Nest – Happier Than a Pig in Mud

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Shortly after I bought this house, I arranged to have it painted.  I couldn’t believe the transformation.  Everything looked so fresh, and new, and stunning!  Soon thereafter, I opened the front door to find mud splattered EVERYWHERE.

“Where did this mess come from?!” I remarked out loud.

A friend who happened to be with me responded:  “Probably a Phoebe.”

“What’s a Phoebe?!” I asked.

A simple head-turn unveiled the answer.

I’ve gotten over the mud splatters now.  The Eastern Phoebe is a frequent-nester on this house (literally) and a delight to watch.  I do what I can to encourage nest-building someplace other than over the front door (mainly by providing platforms to facilitate easier nest construction) but, like all the other creatures around here, the Phoebe’s final decisions outweigh my preferences.

In coming posts I will share with you a time-lapse video of an Eastern Phoebe nest being built, pictures of the mouth-gaping nestlings, and at least one video of the fledged-youngsters being fed by a bewildered dad.