Bird Watching: Bluebird Nestlings Peeking Out, 1 by 2dCousinDave

2dCousinDave wrote:

Sheri, I think they fledge when they have developed to where they are able to fly. Instinct takes care of the rest. Crowding may be a factor but can't be the main reason because even when there are only one or two eggs that hatch, they still fledge at 17 to 18 days. I think birds have personalities and many of the males have what we call in humans, type-A personalities. They are almost always first to peek out and first to fledge. Females, on the other hand, seem to be more passive and timid. Almost always it is a female that fledges last. This trait continues as long as I am able to observe them. The female rarely joins the boys at the feeder, if it is crowded there. If she is there first, she will usually leave when they crowd in. Often she will wait and grab a few nibbles if any is left and even then, cut it short so she doesn't get left behind when the others fly away. More often than not she will follow the adult female around.


Here is an update. It will be a week tomorrow since my five fledged. I think they are all still alive and well, judging by the number of meal worms the parents haul to the tall trees. I aim the camera at where they take them and can see a couple of the fledges in various shots. I expect the fledglings will start following the parents part way in the next day or so and by the end of the week they should be coming to the feeder with them.

Step Dad continues to perform wonderfully. So far Mama has not showed any signs of starting a new nest. But I really don't expect her to, she's been through three, and that is 15 eggs, no matter that only the last five hatched.
Here are a few pictures of Step Dad I took today

This message was edited Jul 2, 2009 1:06 AM