Bird Watching: Five Little Bluebirds And How They Grew, 1 by 2dCousinDave

2dCousinDave wrote:
Well, after a week's layoff, let me update. The fledges (and I guess by now we can call them juveniles) are all doing well. StepDad has stopped feeding even the shy one and he and his siblings are learning to hunt.

I have not fed them much lately as I have been away (Friday evening wedding rehearsal, Saturday afternoon and evening wedding and reception, Sunday brunch that lasted most of the day. Then yesterday to Washington to meet two of my daughters for a bit of sight-seeing and dinner and most of today at the dentist for a couple of crowns and a root canal). That was probably more information than you needed, but suffice it to say, they probably have felt neglected.

This afternoon when I did get home they were congregated out back, waiting for me. Even though they were obviously hungry, the adults waited while all five juvies crowded into the cage and attacked the meal worms. StepDad positioned himself on a branch about six feet away and chased other birds that tried to steal a worm or two. He has already begun his molt. This "allowing them to eat first" stuff will end in a few weeks.

At one point one of the youngsters tried to land on the branch where StepDad was perched. The following sequence followed.