BB update!
Two of the Bluebird babies have fledged today! And unfortunately, I was not htere to witness it. It was kind of funny, I knew they were getting antsy from seeing them in the box, so I got my camera ready outside. And then I waited. And watched them. And waited more. They teased a lot, several times a baby was half way out throughout the day, and then just got back into the box and they all napped. It is a big step to leave that nest. I thought things would happen tomorrow. But in between when I took breaks, things happened. Two babies made it out and will spend an exciting night with Dr. Clara and Mandrake out in the big world. The two in the box are cuddling and will fledge first thing in the morning, I reckon. They look adorable, sleeping in the nest, turning like a tiny clock and breathing in unison. Bird babies are the best.
Tales from the Crypt
The Bluebird babies are looking really good. Their eyes are open, they are awake a lot and they all look like tiny grandpas with their fuzzy heads. Often, when the babies get fed, they poop right after in what always looks to me like some sort of a “praise” pose - they spread out their wings and lift the butt so the parent can take the “diaper” right out. Their poop looks white and is encased in a so-called fecal sac which holds it together. It looks like a diaper when the parents take it out. Anyways, I thought it was funny here how the diapered and fed baby is all content afterwards while the rest still go wild. It’s day 12 after hatching, not that much longer to go.
The four
baby Blues have been growing a lot in the last couple of days, and I am glad that they all look strong and healthy. Their eyes have started to open and they are slowly growing feathers. Dr. Clara is still spending the night with them in the nestbox. She will continue doing that until the babies are fully feathered and can regulate their body temperature by themselves. For the time being, they like cuddling up in a big pile to warm each other while Mom and Dad are out hunting insects for them.
And a little update
on Dr. Clara and Mandrake. Sadly I have to report that one of the babies has passed this past weekend. I am not sure exactly why but I think it might have been the runt. Remember how those eggs did not all hatch in the same day? The first clutch is always kind of cursed. I checked all my footage and actually saw Dr. Clara carrying the dead baby out of the box. There was no predator attack. This happens and while it is sad, it is also nature. The other four are doing great and hopefully will all make it. But witnessing things like that is always tough. Be sound ❤️
Video: Snack time!
The Bluebird babies are growing and developing well, mostly because they get constantly fed by their attentive parents. The parents like to come for a snack at the mealworm bar but the babies get the good stuff. Here, Mandrake brings a huge worm. The baby has quite the beak full but eventually managed to get it all down.
Welcome, babies!
Update - it looks now like all five have hatched! Yay!
The poke turned out to be a good signal yesterday, and two babies hatched quickly after it showed. This morning, two more Bluebird babies have hatched. There is one unhatched egg in the nest, and it may or may not hatch. It can happen that eggs are unviable for a number of reasons but it is quite normal and nothing to worry about. Dr. Clara has assisted the babies coming out of the egg and also ate the egg shells for nutrition. Temperatures have fallen quite a bit, and she is warming them with her brood patch, a naked patch on her belly, and only rarely leaves the nest. Mandrake is bringing her and the babies food. They currently look like fuzzy shrimp but will change in appearance almost by the hour now.
The end of summer
is always bittersweet, but for the birdwatcher it is also an exciting time because there are young birds all over the place. It is very entertaining to watch them explore the world, lead by their parents. The August in my calendar shows a parent American Robin and his adorably proud youngster. They are the state bird of Michigan, even if they migrate more south in the cold season, and I always eagerly await their arrival.
You can get an Ostdrossel calendar here at ostdrossel.com or here.
Two young House Sparrows
are sharing a spot at the bowl. A group of them often comes around at this time of the year. The youngsters are cute, but as someone who also has a Bluebird nestbox in the yard, I am always quite happy when I don’t see any House sparrows. If you are interested in the challenges and aspects of the relationship between House Sparrows and Bluebirds, check out the very informative sialis.org.
The Goldfinches
have also started to come back. And they are still raising babies. Here is one of the youngsters that came to explore the feeders. They make the most enjoyable little noises.
This is not a super photo,
but here is momma Cardi with her youngster in the back. I have been trying to get the youngsters to the camera but they are so skittish, so this is the most I was able to get so far. I am not giving up yet.
Video: young Cardinal
I am always fascinated with Cardinals, and especially with their young ones. They just have the coolest looks. The other day, I checked recordings from earlier this summer, and found this adorable youngster foraging right in front of the camera. It still has a brown beak, meaning that it is less than a year old.
Today when I walked outside
to refill the feeders, I heard a familiar birdsong that I hadn't heard in way too long. And lo and behold - there was a group of at least three Tufted Titmice, happily checking out the buffet and singing away. I hope they stay, I have been missing them! (The one in the picture appears to be a young one.) Interestingly enough, I also recently heard people say they spotted red-breasted Nuthatches. I haven’t had any of those guys last winter, so I hope this year they will be back too. And Pine Siskins!
I am not sure
if this young Red-bellied Woodpecker is a boy or a girl, but it seems to love the camera feeder - it comes for snacks every day. Red-bellied Woodpeckers are beloved regular visitors in my yard, but the babies can be kind of elusive. This is the first year that a youngster is not camera shy, and I absolutely love it. Also just as much a goofball as the parents :D
The Blue Jay babies
come in different shades and marking, something which I always find somewhat fascinating because the adults seem so much alike. This one sticks out a bit because it has hardly any markings. It looks so cute against the flower backdrop. (I am still super busy with work for the next couple of days but then I will hopefully find time to go through the big pile of photos that have been accumulating.)
Video: little rockstar in the morning
Young Cardinals are so shy and skittish and well camouflaged that it is hard to take photos of them. However, they are not so shy around the Birdsy cam, and I love that it allows me to see these cuties up close finally :D
More teens
Namely: Cardinal (it was getting dark so the photo is not superb but I was so excited to finally get her), Red-winged Blackbird, Blue Jay, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, House Finch (she is the most adorable little thing, and somehow the only young House Finch I have been seeing on a regular basis around the feeders. She has some odd feathers on her tail, maybe that’s why.)
I am having a very busy work week, so I haven’t posted many photos, but I put the cams out and they have been diligently taking photos. I just need to find the time for editing. Hopefully, things calm down a bit next week. Have a beautiful Friday and weekend!
Teenagers!
The yard is full of teenage birds, so here is a little gallery. In order of appearance: Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Common Grackle, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Blue Jay and Red-bellied Woodpecker.
These guys are not the same species,
but they look like kindred spirits and I loved the color combo. Teenage Gracks have the coolest colors going on.
Video: More Cardinal babies!
Much to my delight, the Cardinals in my yard seem to have at least three babies! I have seen all three together, but here is the male from this morning and the two females from last night, getting fed by Dad at the pond. I just love them so much, and as I said yesterday, they are really hard to take photos of, so it makes me extra happy to see them explore in a more natural setting than just by a pile of seeds. Keep an eye on the livestream, it is very hot today, they might just pay a visit.
