When the baby Bluebirds fledged two weeks ago, a storm prevented me from watching them leave their nest and I gave up seeing them again. This past week, I noticed two new birds that were very energetic as they flew around, chased each other, or performed other types of flight acrobatics. I realized that they must be the Eastern Bluebird fledglings who are still living in our backyard. I finally got a good photo of one of them as the fledgling perched on our TV antenna.
Eastern Bluebird fledgling.
It looked darker than its parents, and had spots both on its back and chest.
Meanwhile, the parents still live in the birdhouse and did not mind posing for me.
Male Eastern Bluebird.
Female Eastern Bluebird.
I briefly saw the male bird landing on top of the female bird, but could only get a shot after she threw him off her.
Male (left) and female Eastern Bluebirds.
So there is hope for a second brood of Eastern Bluebirds this year. I read that the first brood may help their parents feed the second brood. As of now, they are still carefree, practicing their dives and swoops along the ground to catch insects.
I love the way the first two photos mimic each other – one can see that it’s not all about plumage, but the other details, like the beak shape, can help identify the youngsters. We had some young towhees here that confused me at first but when I observed their behavior, where they were, the overall shape, size, etc., it was obvious what they were. Here’s hoping you get a second brood (and what an interesting fact about the first brood helping with the next one!).
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Thank you Lynn! This second brood looks very promising, and today is just the first day of summer.
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i love your bird photos and the excitement they give you. thank you for sharing!
gorgeous captures as always! 🙂
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Thank you! I must say that with the lockdown forcing me to stay at home, I had more time so study these birds and photograph them.
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Lovely photos – its very interesting that the first brood are meant to help feed the second brood.
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I’ll be watching and counting how many adult birds feed the next brood! Perhaps the first brood do that to train for when they have their own families.
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It shows you that so much of the natural world is about cooperation!
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Such gorgeous captures. I had no idea that there would be two broods a year. Is that an unusual thing in the bird world?
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Having more than one brood is not uncommon among birds. Bluebirds may have up to three broods a year. Thanks, Sue!
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Nice captures, Hien. I’m glad the nest was a success and hope they have an equally successful second brood.
I wish we had bluebirds in our box, but so far have only had house wrens.
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House Wrens are very persistent squatters. Here, they chased some Chickadees from a birdhouse, and have aims on another birdhouse for Bluebirds. I’ve read somewhere that they have to be forced out otherwise they will take over every birdhouse.
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I’ve also read that they will peck holes in other birds’ eggs and wreck their nests. Not nice neighbors at all!
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What lovely views! The eyes of the fledgling are mesmerizing – you can see how it really is still a baby, experiencing everything for the first time. I do hope they grow up to be healthy strong adults like mama and papa. And it would be a treat to witness the cycle of a second brood. Thank you for sharing, and hope you are continuing to stay safe and well.
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Thank you Takami! These baby Bluebirds, list most babies, look adorable. I think they will grow up okay, since we have a lot of natural food (insects, worms, etc.) in our backyard.
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Cám ơn Anh Hiền đã chia xẻ.
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Không có chi, cám ơn Anh Đính!
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That the parents are still in the house after the chicks have fledged makes it almost certain that they will be engaging in a second brood. How very exciting for you, Hien. And what great luck that you were able to see one of the fledglings after the storm passed and they fledged. Wonderful photos and post.
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Thanks, Jet! I am learning not to give up on watching these Bluebirds.
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