Bluebirds- Spring 2012

To Dave and Dave, how old will the hatchlings be when they fledge please? I just returned from the garden,and I heard them little ones chatter in side the nest box. Also, how often should I offer mealworms for feeding? I appreciate your input.

Lily - the book answer is 17 days following the hatch. But as with anything in nature, this could vary depending on the actual development and strength of the young. The experts tell us not to disturb the young birds after about the 11th or 12th day to prevent an early attempt at fledging.

Mine have fledged as early as day 16 and as late as day 18 following the hatch.

Dave and others, what has been your experience?

David in Stafford

Here are a few photos from this afternoon. Momma and Papa bird have been busy feeding the young ones. I heard their chirping for the first time today. I didn't open the box this time. Maybe tomorrow if it doesn't rain.



This message was edited Apr 20, 2012 6:12 PM

I wanted to get a shot of the birds flying into or out of the nest box. Here is what I was able to capture. I don't think I have as good control as Dave does on his shots. I am also a bit further away from the birds. My birthday present is going to be a better telephoto lens.

David in Stafford

And a final one of Papa with food for the young.

David in Stafford

Thank you Dave, those are photos are really nice. Like you, I haven't mastered the in flight pics. yet. Looking forward to new pics. everyone. Oh Dave, thanks for the tips on the Blue Birds. I'll be careful not to frighten the young ones to fledge prematurely.

This message was edited Apr 20, 2012 4:59 PM

My Blue Birds pair seem to know if they hang around the feeder long enough, I'll show up soon thereafter with mealies. Another word; they've me trained. lol

Thank you Lily. I look forward to seeing some of your birds also.

I noticed that I did not respond to your question about mealworms. I have not fed my birds mealworms - although I have tried. My birds have brush and moist woodland around my lot and they seem to know where there is a good supply of bugs and grubs.

I intend to put out a mealworm feeder again to try to help them during the summer. I know that Dave feeds mealies and some others on the thread may also. I defer to them for their opinions.

David in Stafford

Lily - here is a good link for a guide to feeding mealworms.

http://www.sialis.org/feeder.htm

David in Stafford

Ten days old. Packed in like sardines. Their eyes are open but they still play dead when I open the box.

Love that bb "pie" of possum-playin' little ones.

Cute!

Ten days old Possum-playin' little ones also show BLUE on their feather! How neat! Thanks Dave for the above link.

Dave,

I see what looks like 3 and possibly 4 males. Do you have a good count on the sexes?

David in Stafford

Hard to be sure but it does look like at least three males.

Great shot of the flying papa. I would like to use it for my desktop background for a few weeks if that is okay with you.

Here is a photo of my 5 little ones. I believe that I can see a little blue on the wing of the second one on the left. Mom and Papa bird dive-bombed me as I tried to get this shot so I only took one picture and left.

David in Stafford

Sweet little ones Dave!

Feel free to use the picture David.

Here is one of my female as she puts on the brakes prior to hitting the nest box. In the second shot the male is hopping from on branch to another.

Great shots on this thread!!
I absolutely love the sideways picture ...Dated April 15th 1:45 pm!!

Thanks Iris, I kinda' like that one too.

Here is my brood on day 12. You can really see the blue feathers on the two on the flanks. They are having a hard time squeezing down into the cup of the nest. Not too bad a shot, considering it is raining here. I may try for a quick peek at them tomorrow, if the rain stops. After that, we will have reached the point where it is too risky to open the box.

What a beautiful shot! So blue!! Looks like they are almost ready to go! Congrats, You took a great shot here! Mine left there nest yesterday, Unfortunately, I did not get a shot of them leaving.

Iris, congratulations on the fledge. Maybe you can get a photo of the next brood in a couple of months.

David in Stafford

Congrats Iris on your successful fledglings. Dave, those pics. of the babies are so sweet. Mine still haven't yet fledged. Moma Blue took a brief break this early morning.

Even in the rain, they must be fed...

Thanks Dave! Sure hope I can get a photo of the next brood.
Heres a few of the photos I was able to capture ...

#1- Mom and Dad
#2 - Mom
#3 - Dad
#4 - Mom
#5 - Mom

Those are gorgeous pix. of Mom and Dad BBs Iris. Look at mine! The babies are about to spill over the entry way. lol

Thanks lilly-love! Love your photo, I really enjoy seeing them at the entrance hole.. They will be out soon! I missed my oppertunity when mine left, Hope you get a chance to catch yours leaving! ( I posted photos of the mockingbird and the thrush in the last thread, Unfortunately, I think something got the thrush because she has not been back and the five eggs are still in the nest ... I hate when when the little ones don't get a chance to make it to adults! I'm hoping that she just abandoned it for some reason, But, I really don't think so as she stayed on them through sun wind and pouring rain when she was there, It's one of the ugly parts of life I guess! )

Mine should fledge this coming Saturday, or Sunday. I will be ready ALL day, starting Saturday. As some of you know, I am not content in just watching them go, I try very hard to get good pictures of them as they leave. It is not easy because they don't always fly in the direction you think they will, and two, they don't tell you when they are ready to go.

Here are three shots from a past fledge day, showing a male fledgling as it peers out, then makes that "leap of faith."

I finally got to see the babies! Mom & Dad started bringing them to the mealworm feeder and birdbath yesterday! There are two babies, and there were two unhatched eggs in the nest. I can hardly think of anything cuter than baby bluebirds.

Dave, You did a Great job catching them fledeging! You are absolutely right, It "Is Not" an easy thing to do, But you have done it well! I so look forward to seeing how you make out this weekend and wish you lots of luck!!

thebestmissy, I enjoyed the photos, They really are Soooo cute!!

After two days of dark, cloudy weather, its nice to see the sun.

Beautiful capture of the little one took that "leap of faith" Dave. And nice pic of papa in the sunny sky. .... oh no! Saw a hawk at the nest!

Beautiful captures everyone.

Nice one!

While it's not recommended that you open the nest box after day 12, the weather was nice and I took a chance late this afternoon. Today is day 14 and it will be the last time I open it until after they fledge.

Beautiful shot, Dave.

Nice shot Dave. Looks like they are getting ready to move.

Iris, like your photos of the parent birds. Good luck on catching the next brood.

thebestmissy- I really like seeing the young ones coming back to the neighborhood. I have not seen any of mine come back - probably because I do not have a mealworm feeder that they can use, I guess that I am going to have to get one as you, Dave, Lily, and about everyone else on the board seems to do good with them.

Here is a shot of my group of 5 this morning - 10 days old. They look crowded in these photos. We will see what happens in the next few days as they grow.

David in Stafford

2dCousinDave,That was chancy, but, It's a beautiful shot! Shows the intense blue coloring ( Which I can't seem to get with mine) Your nest boxes must open from the top?? Mine open from the front ( not easy to get light in)

bluebirdsnbells, Thanks! I like your nestlings photos. I think it would be a great idea for you to try some mealyworms, I ordered some for the Bluebirds and they sure do love them! Cardinals do too! I don't have a mealyworm feeder, I use a pottery dish and it works out fine, They always keep coming to it.

Iris, my nest box opens from the top AND from the front. I made it myself so that I could get more light. The top hinges back and has a hook to keep it closed when the wind blows hard. Then the front panel pivots from the bottom so there is nothing in the way when I want to take a picture. The top is steeped so that I have enough head room to mount the nest cam out of their way. You can see the wire running from the nest cam.

This message was edited Apr 25, 2012 12:29 AM

Taking a break

You did a great job with it, It's nice to be able to get the light like that, You can't really get that nice blue coloring without the light. ( I'm impressed that you made such a unique box for them with your advanced ideas in mind.)
I used to have a nestcam a long while back and tried it for different birds ( Including owls) I really enjoyed watching the activity, But, Squirrels chewed the wiring on mine and I threw it out and forgot where I had ordered it from, Do you mind if I ask you where you got yours? ~ Excellent shot of the male and female together!