If by some reason you are unable to view the video that I referred to in my previous post (a house wren throwing just-hatched bluebirds out of the hole) that's on the sialis.org website, you can watch it on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nt9BfiGULdQ
or here
There is also a video of a House Wren attacking eggs at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPFau293qoI
or
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Can't be Blue, Day 12, May 1, 2009
In the craziness of the day with the House Wren vs. Chickadee issues, I took time to just watch the Dynamic Duo on "Bird TV". Usually they are in front of me all day. But today I hadn't been able to do that because I was focused on watching out the window for the dreaded wrens. After a bit of a problem with my wren guard which I was able to fix, the chickadee parents have been going in and out of the box regularly. I haven't seen the wren but he made his presence known when I went back to check.
Anyway, how could I be blue today...look at these cuties!! Their wing feathers are completely unfurled and beautiful!! Their tail feathers are longer and there's not much of the downy fuzz to be seen.
Anyway, how could I be blue today...look at these cuties!! Their wing feathers are completely unfurled and beautiful!! Their tail feathers are longer and there's not much of the downy fuzz to be seen.
They've been flapping their wings like crazy all day in addition to doing their other stretches.
Tomorrow is Day 13 which is the last day I should open the box. There's always a risk that I could startle one or both and they'd want to 'jump ship' too early. I think, though, that I'll be safe opening the top of the box only for a quick photo or two...there's no way they could jump up and over that way.
But we'll be following their progress on video till they fledge and beyond...
Tomorrow is Day 13 which is the last day I should open the box. There's always a risk that I could startle one or both and they'd want to 'jump ship' too early. I think, though, that I'll be safe opening the top of the box only for a quick photo or two...there's no way they could jump up and over that way.
But we'll be following their progress on video till they fledge and beyond...
No Bluebird Skies Today, Day 14, May 4th, 2009
** re-posting because the 2 photos weren't showing up.
After having dodged the thunderstorms yesterday, today is dreary, dreary, dreary! It's been raining rather hard at times and I could see on the "Bird TV" that there was water dripping down the wall of the box. So I ran (carefully, it's so slippery) to the box and put some electrical tape over the vent that is under the roof. That seems to have stopped it.
I won't have any photos for you from today. It's as dark as night which is a bit scary. We're not expecting bad weather but you never know here.
The chickadees are fine. I'm counting today as day 6 for them. I have seen the parents fly up and under the wren guard while the wrens are staying to themselves which is not characteristic of them. I will not let up my guard.
Thelma and Louie have been lulled to sleep by the sound of rain on the roof. They really need to do more stretching. Yesterday they started a type of calling/chirping that I only hear at this stage of their lives. It's a regularly spaced "chirp (1-2-3) chirp (1-2-3) chirp." I have no idea what they are doing unless they are making sure their parents know where to find them. I know that when they fledge, the whole family will be using calls to keep together. Maybe this is just practice for that. I have to turn down the volume, though, because after hours of it, it's, well, annoying (had to say it).
I'm working on yesterday's video and hope to be able to post it today.
In the meantime, I need help identifying this bird:
It's the size of a bluebird but fatter/fluffier.
I'll leave you with a photo I can saw again as I was look for something else. I call it "Ya Lookin' at ME?".
After having dodged the thunderstorms yesterday, today is dreary, dreary, dreary! It's been raining rather hard at times and I could see on the "Bird TV" that there was water dripping down the wall of the box. So I ran (carefully, it's so slippery) to the box and put some electrical tape over the vent that is under the roof. That seems to have stopped it.
I won't have any photos for you from today. It's as dark as night which is a bit scary. We're not expecting bad weather but you never know here.
The chickadees are fine. I'm counting today as day 6 for them. I have seen the parents fly up and under the wren guard while the wrens are staying to themselves which is not characteristic of them. I will not let up my guard.
Thelma and Louie have been lulled to sleep by the sound of rain on the roof. They really need to do more stretching. Yesterday they started a type of calling/chirping that I only hear at this stage of their lives. It's a regularly spaced "chirp (1-2-3) chirp (1-2-3) chirp." I have no idea what they are doing unless they are making sure their parents know where to find them. I know that when they fledge, the whole family will be using calls to keep together. Maybe this is just practice for that. I have to turn down the volume, though, because after hours of it, it's, well, annoying (had to say it).
I'm working on yesterday's video and hope to be able to post it today.
In the meantime, I need help identifying this bird:
It's the size of a bluebird but fatter/fluffier.
I'll leave you with a photo I can saw again as I was look for something else. I call it "Ya Lookin' at ME?".
Rain, rain go away...PERIOD! Day 14-15, May 3-4, 2009
Thelma and Louie haven't been working too hard at the wing flapping but they continue to preen not only the wing feathers but their new spotted body feathers too. They don't look like bluebirds, do they? The only clue is the blue on their wings.
Both of these days it rained for almost half of each day! The sound of the rain on the roof of the nest box seemed to, at times, lull the chicks to sleep. It did the same for me, too ::smile::
In every brood I've watched, this is the time when the chicks start to look at their siblings differently. I say that because in all the time they've spent together in the nest, they never really 'touch' each other in a purposeful way. In today's video you'll see one chick pick at the other one. Sometimes it's to take some food bits from the beak of the other, sometimes I can't see the reason. But it's definitely a 'big bird' behavior that you see at bird feeders, for example.
I mention in the video that the nest box hole is on the right side of the video. Also, we need to keep in mind that even when the chicks sit on the top of the nest (out of the nest cup), they have a distance to go before they get to the hole. Here's a photo I took of another brood where the nest position is about the same:
Yes, the globs of white stuff on the walls are fecal sacs. As the chicks roam around the top of the nest more, their bathroom habits aren't so good. They don't always stick to the 'eat then poop right away' rule. Mama will come in and take the sacs off the wall when she can.
Anyway, back to the photo...below the hole you see a metal grid. This helps the nestlings climb up to the hole when it's time.
You can watch the video on the blog at
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
or on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV6vGrjTV8A
or here. If you 'double click' the viewing window, you will get the larger viewing screen.
Both of these days it rained for almost half of each day! The sound of the rain on the roof of the nest box seemed to, at times, lull the chicks to sleep. It did the same for me, too ::smile::
In every brood I've watched, this is the time when the chicks start to look at their siblings differently. I say that because in all the time they've spent together in the nest, they never really 'touch' each other in a purposeful way. In today's video you'll see one chick pick at the other one. Sometimes it's to take some food bits from the beak of the other, sometimes I can't see the reason. But it's definitely a 'big bird' behavior that you see at bird feeders, for example.
I mention in the video that the nest box hole is on the right side of the video. Also, we need to keep in mind that even when the chicks sit on the top of the nest (out of the nest cup), they have a distance to go before they get to the hole. Here's a photo I took of another brood where the nest position is about the same:
 |
| From Somewhere Over the Rainbow, bluebirds fly... |
Yes, the globs of white stuff on the walls are fecal sacs. As the chicks roam around the top of the nest more, their bathroom habits aren't so good. They don't always stick to the 'eat then poop right away' rule. Mama will come in and take the sacs off the wall when she can.
Anyway, back to the photo...below the hole you see a metal grid. This helps the nestlings climb up to the hole when it's time.
You can watch the video on the blog at
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
or on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV6vGrjTV8A
or here. If you 'double click' the viewing window, you will get the larger viewing screen.
My favorite color has become blue, Day 16, May 5, 2009
It used to be purple (my favorite color, that is) but every time I look at that rich cobalt blue I am in awe. I wonder how such an uplifting color has become associated with the negative phrase 'feeling blue'?
In the second photo, I wasn't able to get a good photo because their faces were turned away from me. But just look at snipped of blue on one of Louie's wing feathers (yes, the male 'kids' have more blue on the wings).
Be like the bluebird who never is blue,
For he knows from his upbringing what singing can do
- Cole Porter, Be Like the Bluebird, 1934
In the second photo, I wasn't able to get a good photo because their faces were turned away from me. But just look at snipped of blue on one of Louie's wing feathers (yes, the male 'kids' have more blue on the wings).
Be like the bluebird who never is blue,
For he knows from his upbringing what singing can do
- Cole Porter, Be Like the Bluebird, 1934
Tough little chickadees, Day 7 for them, May 5, 2009
Although I have not opened the chickadee nest box since I shared that photo with you, I know that they are still alive. it's been so damp that I don't want to subject the chicks to anything that might hurt them. I do watch the chickadee parents fly from the mealworm feeder to the nest box. They've become skilled at going under the wren guard. As for the House Wrens, either they have gotten bored with the whole thing or just can't figure out how to get under it and into the hole.
Here's a photo of my wren guard. I made it quite a bit longer than most. You really only have to come down to below the hole so it's covered from view. I didn't plan to have it so long in the front. I was in a hurry and that's what I had on hand. I decided not to change it since it seems to be working.
I just took sturdy cardboard (although some of my friends use cereal boxes successfully), covered the surface with clear packing tape, bent it, and taped it to the top of the box with electrical tape. I had intended to tack the guard onto the roof but the tape is holding.
I think I posted this photo before from a brood of chickadees that I had in 2007. I'm not sure what day this is but they look fully feathered. They are so very tiny!
Here's a photo of my wren guard. I made it quite a bit longer than most. You really only have to come down to below the hole so it's covered from view. I didn't plan to have it so long in the front. I was in a hurry and that's what I had on hand. I decided not to change it since it seems to be working.
I just took sturdy cardboard (although some of my friends use cereal boxes successfully), covered the surface with clear packing tape, bent it, and taped it to the top of the box with electrical tape. I had intended to tack the guard onto the roof but the tape is holding.
I think I posted this photo before from a brood of chickadees that I had in 2007. I'm not sure what day this is but they look fully feathered. They are so very tiny!
Question: How do they know when it's time to leave?
First, let me say that it's day 17 for the bluebirds but they aren't ready to leave yet. Good thing cause we have some nasty weather headed our way...again. I did see one of their faces in the hole when I looked at the box...not IN the hole but from behind it.
And the chickadee parents are going into their box regularly with food so I assume at day 8 for them they are fine. If it weren't so damp I'd open the box but I'll wait a day. I'm sure they are fine.
Now to answer the question.
As we've watched these birds grow from an egg to a bird, we've seen that at every step along the way, the nestlings and the parents know instinctively what to do and when to do it. For instance, the parents knew what to feed the hatchlings (soft food), the female parent knew how long to brood them (till they could regulate their own body temperature), the nestlings knew that they had to do what we call preening, they knew to 'play dead' when there was danger, etc. etc.
But leaving the nest is a really serious move and there are conditions that have to be met before it's safe to take that flight. To make sure that the bluebird population continues to grow, we want successful fledgings.
The chicks have to be physically ready to take at least a short flight when they leave the box so that they can get somewhere safe. I try to put my nest boxes so that there's a bush or vine or tree close enough that the chicks can fly UP and into protection. Sometimes, however, the bird's wings aren't strong enough so they have to be physically be able to at least hop to a safe place. If there's a 'runt' in the brood, sometimes they will leave too early because they follow their siblings. To get physically strong enough, they have to do their stretches and flapping.
As they get older, the chicks develop a 'curiosity' about where the parents go when they bring food (maybe that's not the right word, it may be more like "I'm hungry, I'm watching that place where they come in with food"). When the chicks are small, the parent has to come all the way in to the box to feed them. They learn that if they stretch their open mouths closer to the parent (who has just come through this hole-thingy), they get fed first. Part of their physical growth has enabled them to get closer to the source of the food. As big as they are now, the parents can just put their heads through the hole to feed them.
The parents have to know that the chicks are ready and there is enough food to feed them when they have fledged (fledgings in the spring when there aren't enough insects for food may be later than ones in the summer). When the parents know it's that time, they will often withhold food from the chicks. Hunger is a strong motivator (it is with me). When they are encouraging a chick to leave the nest, the parents will sit outside close to the box and call to the chicks or sometimes even sit on the roof and dangle food in front of the chick who is looking out of the hole. This is just what is going on in the photo below from one of my 2007 broods. The same bird, Phoenix (he survived being thrown out of the nest TWICE by a House Wren and survived), pushed off and changed his mind and wanted to come back but that was only a momentary issue...he turned and flew to the vines on our deck.
I've watched the fledging process as it goes on inside the box and it's basically the same every time. Days before the event, the chicks get more active. They walk around the top of the nest, peck at spots on the walls of the box (perhaps poop), they flap their wings and often the day before or day that they will be leaving the box, they can actually get lift and have a short flight in the box! They often just have so much energy they are walking and flying around and at some point, catch a glimpse of 'the unknown', ie. the place where the food shows up.
It's hard to separate their behavior into what is instinct and what is learned. Birds learn by imitation and naturally they are going to imitate their parents. Younger birds will imitate their older siblings. Instinctually, they know that if they flap their wings their feet come off the ground. Often a chick will stand as far back as it can in the box and as high as it can on the edge of the nest and you can catch a glimpse of its face when you look at the box. Then it's what's called 'successive approximations':
(any of these stages may be skipped or repeated)
But the moment I watch for is when a chick looks out the hole which is the 'unknown' and looks back inside which is the 'known' (sometimes they'll fall back into the box because they're not ready). So, they get into the hole with their body halfway in and halfway out...it becomes a decision between:
But we'll just wait to talk about that when I can show this to you. Oh, they don't go back to the box after they leave. Some have been know to try to fly back in when they've pushed off. I've heard a few stories of a few who have come back but that's rare.
And the chickadee parents are going into their box regularly with food so I assume at day 8 for them they are fine. If it weren't so damp I'd open the box but I'll wait a day. I'm sure they are fine.
Now to answer the question.
As we've watched these birds grow from an egg to a bird, we've seen that at every step along the way, the nestlings and the parents know instinctively what to do and when to do it. For instance, the parents knew what to feed the hatchlings (soft food), the female parent knew how long to brood them (till they could regulate their own body temperature), the nestlings knew that they had to do what we call preening, they knew to 'play dead' when there was danger, etc. etc.
But leaving the nest is a really serious move and there are conditions that have to be met before it's safe to take that flight. To make sure that the bluebird population continues to grow, we want successful fledgings.
The chicks have to be physically ready to take at least a short flight when they leave the box so that they can get somewhere safe. I try to put my nest boxes so that there's a bush or vine or tree close enough that the chicks can fly UP and into protection. Sometimes, however, the bird's wings aren't strong enough so they have to be physically be able to at least hop to a safe place. If there's a 'runt' in the brood, sometimes they will leave too early because they follow their siblings. To get physically strong enough, they have to do their stretches and flapping.
As they get older, the chicks develop a 'curiosity' about where the parents go when they bring food (maybe that's not the right word, it may be more like "I'm hungry, I'm watching that place where they come in with food"). When the chicks are small, the parent has to come all the way in to the box to feed them. They learn that if they stretch their open mouths closer to the parent (who has just come through this hole-thingy), they get fed first. Part of their physical growth has enabled them to get closer to the source of the food. As big as they are now, the parents can just put their heads through the hole to feed them.
The parents have to know that the chicks are ready and there is enough food to feed them when they have fledged (fledgings in the spring when there aren't enough insects for food may be later than ones in the summer). When the parents know it's that time, they will often withhold food from the chicks. Hunger is a strong motivator (it is with me). When they are encouraging a chick to leave the nest, the parents will sit outside close to the box and call to the chicks or sometimes even sit on the roof and dangle food in front of the chick who is looking out of the hole. This is just what is going on in the photo below from one of my 2007 broods. The same bird, Phoenix (he survived being thrown out of the nest TWICE by a House Wren and survived), pushed off and changed his mind and wanted to come back but that was only a momentary issue...he turned and flew to the vines on our deck.
I've watched the fledging process as it goes on inside the box and it's basically the same every time. Days before the event, the chicks get more active. They walk around the top of the nest, peck at spots on the walls of the box (perhaps poop), they flap their wings and often the day before or day that they will be leaving the box, they can actually get lift and have a short flight in the box! They often just have so much energy they are walking and flying around and at some point, catch a glimpse of 'the unknown', ie. the place where the food shows up.
It's hard to separate their behavior into what is instinct and what is learned. Birds learn by imitation and naturally they are going to imitate their parents. Younger birds will imitate their older siblings. Instinctually, they know that if they flap their wings their feet come off the ground. Often a chick will stand as far back as it can in the box and as high as it can on the edge of the nest and you can catch a glimpse of its face when you look at the box. Then it's what's called 'successive approximations':
(any of these stages may be skipped or repeated)
- I'm OK looking out but from back here where it's safe
- I'm OK looking out but I'm just going to peek from the side of the box
- I'll climb that metal grid only a little bit until I'm OK with that
- OK, I'll climb to the top of the grid and look out
- I feel OK with all of this so I'll put my head in the hole (but not out of it)
- It's time...I'm going to put my head out of the hole and look around
- It's really time...I gotta get my legs on the edge of the hole, my head and half my body out
- Here goes....wheeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!
But the moment I watch for is when a chick looks out the hole which is the 'unknown' and looks back inside which is the 'known' (sometimes they'll fall back into the box because they're not ready). So, they get into the hole with their body halfway in and halfway out...it becomes a decision between:
known=that which they've been safe in for 17 or more daysYou know they're going to go if their feet are under them on the outside of the hole. A moment comes when they 'decide' that it's time to try the 'unknown'. They push off with their feet and you hold your breathe to see where they land...
unknown=don't know what is out there except food and their parents
But we'll just wait to talk about that when I can show this to you. Oh, they don't go back to the box after they leave. Some have been know to try to fly back in when they've pushed off. I've heard a few stories of a few who have come back but that's rare.
Bye, bye birdies, Day 17, May 6, 2009
Well, Thelma and Louie didn't read the post I sent out about being ready to fledge. I was so sure they weren't going to leave today because:
At 8:10, I checked in on the box and there were no birds!! I thought they were maybe hanging out on the 'blind spot' of the nest cam. But it was very, very quiet. We went outside -- it was already twilight. Dave opened the box and Thelma and Louie had 'flown the coop', so to speak.
So I have hundreds of hours of video (I estimate I have about 300 hours or more) except for what I had so hoped to show you...I expect one of them just decided that the unknown was too exciting to wait to see and the other one would have followed close behind.
We put out some mealworms and I could hear that chirp they used in the nest for the last week. They'll use it to keep the family together. We think that we saw them high in a tree not too far away but by then it was dark. Mama and Daddy took the mealies to them. I also saw Daddy dive bombing a squirrel.
::sigh:: I am happy and sad. I'm happy that they survived when the others didn't. I'm sad because I won't see them for 10 days to 2 weeks until the time that Daddy will bring them to the mealworm feeder to teach them how to feed themselves. In the meantime, Daddy will teach them how to survive and he'll keep them safe. He'll take them high into the trees that provide the best protection. Mama may be back in the next few days to refurbish the nest for another brood.
In the meantime, I don't have that feeling of elation that I usually have when they take their first flight. I just keep thinking of them out there on their first night in the dark.
I have two days of video to edit which I shall post.
I pray that Thelma and Louie make it so that they'll be able to come back to see me and maybe hang out through the winter.
Be safe, little birds, be safe.
the parents fed them all dayAt 7pm EDT, I finished taping for the day. Both birds were huddled together sleeping in the back of the box facing away from the hole. My husband had just come home from work so we watched a program that we'd taped.
the chicks only looked out of the hole twice
they usually do not leave the nest at night
and some other things that usually happen.
At 8:10, I checked in on the box and there were no birds!! I thought they were maybe hanging out on the 'blind spot' of the nest cam. But it was very, very quiet. We went outside -- it was already twilight. Dave opened the box and Thelma and Louie had 'flown the coop', so to speak.
So I have hundreds of hours of video (I estimate I have about 300 hours or more) except for what I had so hoped to show you...I expect one of them just decided that the unknown was too exciting to wait to see and the other one would have followed close behind.
We put out some mealworms and I could hear that chirp they used in the nest for the last week. They'll use it to keep the family together. We think that we saw them high in a tree not too far away but by then it was dark. Mama and Daddy took the mealies to them. I also saw Daddy dive bombing a squirrel.
::sigh:: I am happy and sad. I'm happy that they survived when the others didn't. I'm sad because I won't see them for 10 days to 2 weeks until the time that Daddy will bring them to the mealworm feeder to teach them how to feed themselves. In the meantime, Daddy will teach them how to survive and he'll keep them safe. He'll take them high into the trees that provide the best protection. Mama may be back in the next few days to refurbish the nest for another brood.
In the meantime, I don't have that feeling of elation that I usually have when they take their first flight. I just keep thinking of them out there on their first night in the dark.
I have two days of video to edit which I shall post.
I pray that Thelma and Louie make it so that they'll be able to come back to see me and maybe hang out through the winter.
Be safe, little birds, be safe.
Be safe, little birds, Days 16-17, May 5-6, 2009
I have to admit that I've had a difficult time finishing this last video. I'll admit that the chick's leaving the nest when they did really surprised and saddened me. I haven't seen them since they left but I have seen their parents take mealworms high into nearby trees.
I won't see them for 10 days to 2 weeks. Daddy is taking care of them, feeding them, teaching them. He'll bring them to the mealworm feeder so they can learn how to feed themselves. It's always exciting to see them again and I pray that I see them both. There have been broods in the past where all the chicks did not return. It's a tough world out there for a baby bird.
Mama and Daddy stopped by the nest box yesterday. Daddy took out some material (surprise) but I don't think they've been back since. They are a bit busy.
You can watch this video on the blog at
http://mybluwings.blogspot.com
or on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aKBE9tdUqo
or here. If you 'double click' the viewing screen below, you'll get a larger version.
I won't see them for 10 days to 2 weeks. Daddy is taking care of them, feeding them, teaching them. He'll bring them to the mealworm feeder so they can learn how to feed themselves. It's always exciting to see them again and I pray that I see them both. There have been broods in the past where all the chicks did not return. It's a tough world out there for a baby bird.
Mama and Daddy stopped by the nest box yesterday. Daddy took out some material (surprise) but I don't think they've been back since. They are a bit busy.
You can watch this video on the blog at
http://mybluwings.blogspot.com
or on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aKBE9tdUqo
or here. If you 'double click' the viewing screen below, you'll get a larger version.
Chick-a-dee-dee-dee. May 12, 2009
It's been strange not rushing to do videos and blog entries every day. Don't worry, I've been trying to use my time constructively.
I have to admit that I'm disappointed that the bluebirds have not started another brood. They are taking mealworms up into the trees so I am sure the fledglings are OK. I try to follow the parents as they fly from the feeder but they never go straight to the kids (don't want to let predators know where the fledglings are). The other thing that is unusual is that in past broods, it's been just Daddy who takes care of the fledgling but Mama seems to be doing just as much feeding as he does.
By the way, the title of this post is how I learned to recognize one of the calls of the chickadees.
Considering that it's day 14 for the 4 chickadee nestlings, I thought it would be a good idea to take the wren guard off!! They often fledge at day 17 so I figured they needed to be able to look out and see the 'unknown.'
It was interesting to see the parents' reactions to the wren guard being gone. One of the parents especially was very wary and slowly approached the hole. After a few hours, they are OK.
I'll be setting up my camcorder pointed to the chickadee box so perhaps I'll get to see them fledge.
The photos below are in reverse order...
May 12, 2009 - Day 14 They now look like chickadees!
May 7th, Day 9--looking more like chickadees
Just a few days old, May 3, 2009
I have to admit that I'm disappointed that the bluebirds have not started another brood. They are taking mealworms up into the trees so I am sure the fledglings are OK. I try to follow the parents as they fly from the feeder but they never go straight to the kids (don't want to let predators know where the fledglings are). The other thing that is unusual is that in past broods, it's been just Daddy who takes care of the fledgling but Mama seems to be doing just as much feeding as he does.
By the way, the title of this post is how I learned to recognize one of the calls of the chickadees.
Considering that it's day 14 for the 4 chickadee nestlings, I thought it would be a good idea to take the wren guard off!! They often fledge at day 17 so I figured they needed to be able to look out and see the 'unknown.'
It was interesting to see the parents' reactions to the wren guard being gone. One of the parents especially was very wary and slowly approached the hole. After a few hours, they are OK.
I'll be setting up my camcorder pointed to the chickadee box so perhaps I'll get to see them fledge
The photos below are in reverse order...
May 12, 2009 - Day 14 They now look like chickadees!
May 7th, Day 9--looking more like chickadees
Just a few days old, May 3, 2009
Very Empty Nest Syndrome, May 16th, 2009
[this is a revision of a previous posting. There were supposed to be two photos shown and for some reason they didn't appear. If you don't see the two photos of the chickadee nest, please let me know.]
I'm feeling 'abandoned'...
First, the chickadees fledged on Thursday, May 14th which was day 16. I wasn't able to verify that till the next morning. I had to watch to see if there was any parent traffic in and out of the box and there was none. Without a nest box cam, it's hard to see them fledge since they look just like their parents and they don't sit in the hole and push off from there, they fly out of the hole just like the 'big birds' do.
I took out the nest and was amused and amazed to find so much dog fur (which my dogs provided). It makes sense because the nest was built in April when the weather was going between cold and cool. Here are some photos of the nest. It's flattened somewhat especially on the side that was closest to the hole. As the day of fledging grew near, the chicks would have been tramping around the sides of the nest cup trying to get a peek out of the hole.
And I also feel 'abandoned' because the bluebirds have not started another brood here. I wonder if they have started one somewhere else but the accommodations here are so good, why go anywhere else ::grin::. They've been hanging around, though. I do have evidence of that! Below are some photos from my new 'toy', a camera for use outdoors and 'outside the nest' which is a very interesting perspective after watching so much 'inside the nest' activity. It's called "Wingscapes" but I've seen similar cameras marketed with different names. It's a motion-activated camera which is really cool. I can set it to capture photos or videos. I have so much to learn about it. My first successful project has been to watch what goes on at the bird bath.
This camera was very graciously donated to me by a very, very special friend. I shall be forever grateful to her.
For more information about this outdoor camera, you can read all about it at
http://wingscapes.com/
Now, on to the show:
You can watch the slideshow below. It will run automatically. However, there are controls for it if you move your cursor to the bottom of the screen.
If you 'double click' on the screen, you will see the photos in a larger format which I highly recommend. You'll be taken to another website where you'll see larger photos. Above the photo you will see two arrow images, one pointing 'back' and one pointing 'forward.' Use these to control the speed at which you want to view the photos. If you click on the arrow at a fast pace, it's almost like watching a little video. If you have any problems, let me know. I still have so much to learn!
I'm feeling 'abandoned'...
First, the chickadees fledged on Thursday, May 14th which was day 16. I wasn't able to verify that till the next morning. I had to watch to see if there was any parent traffic in and out of the box and there was none. Without a nest box cam, it's hard to see them fledge since they look just like their parents and they don't sit in the hole and push off from there, they fly out of the hole just like the 'big birds' do.
I took out the nest and was amused and amazed to find so much dog fur (which my dogs provided). It makes sense because the nest was built in April when the weather was going between cold and cool. Here are some photos of the nest. It's flattened somewhat especially on the side that was closest to the hole. As the day of fledging grew near, the chicks would have been tramping around the sides of the nest cup trying to get a peek out of the hole.
And I also feel 'abandoned' because the bluebirds have not started another brood here. I wonder if they have started one somewhere else but the accommodations here are so good, why go anywhere else ::grin::. They've been hanging around, though. I do have evidence of that! Below are some photos from my new 'toy', a camera for use outdoors and 'outside the nest' which is a very interesting perspective after watching so much 'inside the nest' activity. It's called "Wingscapes" but I've seen similar cameras marketed with different names. It's a motion-activated camera which is really cool. I can set it to capture photos or videos. I have so much to learn about it. My first successful project has been to watch what goes on at the bird bath.
This camera was very graciously donated to me by a very, very special friend. I shall be forever grateful to her.
For more information about this outdoor camera, you can read all about it at
http://wingscapes.com/
Now, on to the show:
You can watch the slideshow below. It will run automatically. However, there are controls for it if you move your cursor to the bottom of the screen.
If you 'double click' on the screen, you will see the photos in a larger format which I highly recommend. You'll be taken to another website where you'll see larger photos. Above the photo you will see two arrow images, one pointing 'back' and one pointing 'forward.' Use these to control the speed at which you want to view the photos. If you click on the arrow at a fast pace, it's almost like watching a little video. If you have any problems, let me know. I still have so much to learn!
"I missed the fledging AGAIN" Curse! Aug. 3, 2010
Linda's "I missed the fledging AGAIN" Curse!
A Bizarre Tale Indeed
Summary: A surprise late-season brood of 5 Eastern Bluebird chicks is caught on a nest box video camera getting ready to fledge. A mistaken single-chick fledging on Day 14 leads to much confusion when the day after, 5 chicks fledge when 4 were expected. When all 5 chicks fledge 1) after 20 minutes after the official sundown and 2) all 5 within one minute, there MANY questions, not the least of which is how a coiled snake found 10 minutes after the fledglings are gone is involed in this drama. The snake was found on top of the same type of camera as is used inside the box that was 16 inches from the nest box. It a coincidence that the snake is there, or did the parents see it and call the chicks to 'abandon ship' in the blackness of night??
Aug. 1st, 2010
Sunday, Day 15
We have been putting "Night Hawk" nestbox cameras (abbrev. NHcam) in our bluebird houses since 2005. Past years I did not have what I considered to be an acceptable way of recording and watching the video at the same time. This year I was able to route the video through my computer and record it on my hard drive while watching the video on my computer desktop. This day was the 15th day I'd been watching a brood of 5 chicks (and had watched the process from the time the nest was built and the eggs were laid).
COMING SOON:
This was a very unexpected brood. Mama Blue (from last year; she laid 5 eggs Spring 2009 but only 3 hatched and 2 survived; that was it for 2009 at least in our yard) and Daddy Blue (new this year) tried an initial brood of 5 eggs in the Spring 2010. After 22 days of incubation, they abandoned the eggs which were of course not viable. They came back shortly after that (beginning of June)and Mama Blue spruced up the nest cup, laid one egg and the same day a House Wren pecked it and threw it out of the box. ::grrrr:: The Blues left and I expected they'd be nesting somewhere else. At the end of June, Daddy encouraged Mama to try again here so she spruced up the nestcup yet again, laid 5 eggs, incubated them for 14 days and they all hatched! No one was more surprised and delighted than me!
COMING SOON:
The day before I'd put my Birdcam by Windspaces on a tripod so I could see & record the outside of the nestbox focused directly at the hole. I set it to use motion detection to record videos on an SD card. The model of Birdcam I have only records in daylight which was the only option when I purchased it. Of course, after I bought it, they came out with a day/night version.
COMING SOON:
COMING SOON:
5. WHY did he do that? I know that snakes depend on thermoception ('seeing' heat waves). Can they detect the infrared light emitted from the NWcams? Did he not only detect the heat from the NWcam outside the box but inside as well?
6. The chicks all day had been attracting other birds with their vocalizations and had the nestbox shaking quite a bit. Does that enter into this drama??
What I am most concerned about is whether the snake was attracted to the heat of the NH camera? Is that where he was headed? There is about 16 inches from where the snake was to the roof of the nest box.
Real Birds of Atlanta, Day 14, May 3, 2009
They are definitely birds now (and oh so beautiful). In the first photo, I think one of the chicks has its wing over the other so it's hard to tell but there is one bird whose wing feathers are bright cobalt blue (that'd be the male Louie) and the other's wing feathers are tipped in white (that'd be Thelma). You can see those differences in the second photo.
While I'm typing this, I see that the chicks are 'playing dead.' It's because there's a Brown Headed Nuthatch who keeps walking all over the box and almost gets a chance to look in when Daddy Blue comes to the rescue. Of course, Thelma or Louie are bigger than the teeny nuthatch, they just don't know know it!
You can 'double click' to see larger views.
While I'm typing this, I see that the chicks are 'playing dead.' It's because there's a Brown Headed Nuthatch who keeps walking all over the box and almost gets a chance to look in when Daddy Blue comes to the rescue. Of course, Thelma or Louie are bigger than the teeny nuthatch, they just don't know know it!
You can 'double click' to see larger views.
Handful 'o Chickadees, May 3rd, 2009
I tried to use my mirror and flashlight to see the chickadee nestlings but it just wasn't working. I also wanted to count them so I quickly scooped them up, took a quick pic, and put them right back in the nest. All 4 are growing and healthy. Their eyes are not open yet but their wing feathers are in pin. They also are showing contour feathers. I guess that makes them about 4 or 5 days old. I compared this photo to a site with day-by-day photos of chickadees. Check it out at:
http://flyaway.smugmug.com/gallery/115189/1#3981876_a8CGD
You can 'double click' on the photo below to see a larger image:
http://flyaway.smugmug.com/gallery/115189/1#3981876_a8CGD
You can 'double click' on the photo below to see a larger image:
While I was by the chickadee box, the TWO (yes, I said 2) House Wrens were calling to each other/taunting me. The fact that there are 2 of them makes me think that the male has already paired up with a female and may be content to continue the nest it's started in one of the other boxes. Time will tell.
I can live in hope, can't I??
I can live in hope, can't I??
Bluebird Nest Building Day 2-March 19, 2009
Day 2 Wednesday, March 19, 2009
Happy First Day of Spring!!
I hope it's been a good one.
Yesterday was quite an active one for Mama Blue. If this female didn't have an 'unusual' beak (it turns down at the end), I'd say it was not the same one as yesterday! Her behavior was so much different than the first day. She worked diligently, bringing pine straw in regular intervals, using the 'cupping' movements to keep the center of the nest open...she did everything 'by the book.'
I had always heard that bluebirds get their nesting material from the ground. In other years, I've seen them go into the trees. I followed Mama today and she DID go into a tree but it was a tulip tree. She was taking pine needles from a clump of them that were on a branch. When I enlarged the photo, it looks like there's an indentation in the middle like as if it's the beginning of a nest. I don't know what bird would put a nest in such an open location. If you know of any, please let me know. I will be keeping my eye on it.
I hope that the video is self-explanatory. A Carolina Wren went into the box to snoop around not realizing that the bluebirds were right outside the box. You'll see what happened when you view the video.
To view the video, you can click here
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00bPSdoTvgk
You can also go to mybluwings.blogspot.com to view the blog so far.
Happy First Day of Spring!!
I hope it's been a good one.
Yesterday was quite an active one for Mama Blue. If this female didn't have an 'unusual' beak (it turns down at the end), I'd say it was not the same one as yesterday! Her behavior was so much different than the first day. She worked diligently, bringing pine straw in regular intervals, using the 'cupping' movements to keep the center of the nest open...she did everything 'by the book.'
I had always heard that bluebirds get their nesting material from the ground. In other years, I've seen them go into the trees. I followed Mama today and she DID go into a tree but it was a tulip tree. She was taking pine needles from a clump of them that were on a branch. When I enlarged the photo, it looks like there's an indentation in the middle like as if it's the beginning of a nest. I don't know what bird would put a nest in such an open location. If you know of any, please let me know. I will be keeping my eye on it.
I hope that the video is self-explanatory. A Carolina Wren went into the box to snoop around not realizing that the bluebirds were right outside the box. You'll see what happened when you view the video.
To view the video, you can click here
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00bPSdoTvgk
You can also go to mybluwings.blogspot.com to view the blog so far.
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