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The three Starling fledges came the day after and kept coming. The Red-bellied Woodpeckers came the day after that. In June, we added more Grackle fledges, three Blue Jay fledges, and three Mockingbird fledges
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2020 fledgling COUNT🐥 6 Mockingbirds: 3 Broods 🐥 3 Downy Woodpeckers 🐥 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 🐥 2 Carolina Wrens 🐥 2 Brown Thrashers 🐥 9 House Sparrows 🐥 5 Blue Jays 🐥 4 American Robins: 🐥3 Cardinals 🐥 1 Brown-headed Nuthatch 🐥 2 Chickadees 🐥 3 Grackles 🐥 4 Mourning Doves 🐥 3 Cowbirds 🐥 4 Red-Bellied Woodpeckers 🐥 3 Tufted Titmice 🐥 13 European Starlings |
Not a regular to our feeder or tree but nearby or periodic vists
🐥 1 Pileated Woodpecker 🐥 1 Swallow-tailed Kite 🐥 1 White Breasted Nuthatch 🐥 2 Eastern Towhee |
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Springtime it is common to see all of those cute little nestlings who have been secretly tucked away in the safe shadow of varied foliage fledging; but birds can be on the ground any time of year. When it comes to young birds the how and how long will depend on the species. The number of days a nestling will stay in their nest varies by species and much like people their "personalities," will affect how they emerge. After observing this transition you might find that some birds hop a lot more than another, fly better faster/sooner, are clumsy, shy, friendly, aggressive, noisy, silent, etc This variety can be among different species of birds but we have found that even birds of the same species with same parents can emerge vastly different from a "sibling." As they get their flight feathers, they will be awkwardly venturing out and there is a lot you can do to "help" them. |
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3. Realize, the bird parents are probably close by (even if you can't see them).
Birds tend to subscribe to "Tough Love parenting." They may bring food to the fledglings while they are on the ground or in a tree but they are trying to teach them to find food on their own. So don't be surprised if they don't bring food to them. They will even turn their back to them for a little while if the fledgling comes to them wanting food, I think to get them to go on their own. We observed a male bird and fledging in our tree. The male bird three times flew to the feeder and back to the fledges spot in the tree. He did not feed the fledge but I believe he was trying to get the fledge to follow him. After the third time, the adult male pecked at the fledge. When the fledge didn't follow him, the adult male left him there alone for a while. Also, If the fledgling goes to the ground, one or both parents will wait nearby. They may eventually join them on the ground but only after some time as passed as they want to see if junior will figure out on his own. You can watch, get your camera and take pics, or even fill your feeders at a safe difference away but DO NOT INTERFERE. |
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4. The fledglings may run into things, miss landings, or stumble off of a limb.
Generally, look clumsy or awkward where most birds are relatively graceful. Most likely, they will be fine. This is the time they are learning how to use the gifts God has given them. They are practicing (think of taking training wheels off of a bike). Some birds learn faster than others. DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY THINK THEY ARE INJURED. I was sure the RBWP fledge was injured when he ran into the glass. He was stunned a bit, but after a few minutes, he was fine. All parts seemingly worked. Other than the training wheel analogy. I can only think of my three kids learning to walk. They'd get up, fall down, walk, stumble, and repeat. Until they learned to walk with ease. Bird babies are the same way. |
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6. Sometimes the fledges sit with their mouth open. This is also a carryover from their nestling days.
DO NOTE THAT THIS MAKES IDENTIFYING SOME OF THEM EASIER. You can also check their gape, (term for the interior opening of the mouth), and see that it is a lighter color. This is also a carryover from nest days when the adult would bring back food, and all of the nestlings would open their mouth the adult could drop the food in easier. When adult birds do this (the Grackles do it a lot, but I rarely see other birds do this), they are releasing heat from their bodies. |
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7. Finally, drive slowly out of your driveway (or into mine).
This might be the most significant danger they face next to you and yours picking them up off of the ground. The fledges may be able to hop and fly, but they are unaware of the danger that a car can pose. Unlike adult birds, they won't immediately fly off. DO USE CAUTION. Look out for them and give them time to move. FINALLY, If the fledge has been on the ground over a few hours (in the same or near to the same place), I encourage you to take a picture and send it to a wildlife rehabber or seasoned birder to get their take BEFORE YOU INTERFERE (If you are local contact us and we can direct you to help). At that point, if it is indeed injured, they may choose to come to you to get the bird, or at the least, can probably give you guidance on how you can get it to a vet or rehab clinic for help. THIS IS THE LAST RESORT. 🐦Happy Birding! Post adapted from 6.5.2019 blog on https://www.backyardbirdadventures.com/newsfromt…/previous/8 |
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🟡2 Cardinals
🟡1 Chickadee 🟡2 Titmouse 🟡2 Grackle 🟡2 Mockingbirds 🟡2 House Sparrows 🟡Red-Headed Woodpecker (two consecutive broods)
🟡2 European Starlings 🟡2 Red-Bellied WP 🟡4 Blue-Jays |
🟡Assorted House Finches (can't count too many)
🟡1 Downy Woodpecker 🟡2 Brown Thrashers 🟡1 Brown-headed Nuthatch 🟡2 American Robins
🟡5 Mourning Doves (we think one brood from one set and two broods from the other two adults) |