Tag: Robin

More Baby Birds

All around the yard I hear the immature chirps of fledglings.  Some are probably the baby cardinals I wrote about in my last post (A Rare Treat: A Cardinal’s Nest At Eye Level).  Others are probably robins that nest frequently in the yard, although this year I haven’t seen any of their nesting spots.

As I looked out the kitchen window the other day, something looked odd on the No-No Cardinal feeder.

fledgling robin

Upon closer look, it was a fledgling robin.  Obviously, robins don’t eat from feeders, or eat sunflower seeds, so the little guy got a little confused and landed on the closest thing he could.

He did not look happy about his predicament!

fledgling robin

I watched him for a while, as did his mom/dad.

robin

After a while, he got up the nerve to try to find a new, safer place to roost.  But, didn’t make it very far.  Poor guy 🙁  That’s him on top of the  No-No Seed Ball Feeder.

fledgling robin

Definitely not where he wanted to be, so off he jumped/flew again.  This time landing in one of the clematis about 10 feet away.  Again, not a great place but at least less precarious.

fledgling robin

He stayed there for a while until he finally made his way to the neighbor’s serviceberry where I think he was much happier.

fledgling robin

Quite an adventure for this little guy.  I could sense his relief once he got into the bush.  I’m guessing his mom found him soon after and hopefully she had some food for him.

Baby Robins Have Flown the Nest

Most years, I have had at least one nesting pair of robins.  They seem to rotate between 3 or 4 places in the yard.  This year they chose to build their nest right on top of last year’s disintegrating nest.  They must have really like this spot!

robins nest

 Early April–4 eggs were laid

robins nest

12-14 days later three of the eggs hatched!  

robins nest

 4 days later

robins nest

The parents really don’t like me snooping around!  What a racket they make trying to warn me off.

robin
robin

robin

 About a week later, eyes are open and they are much bigger.  Still just as hungry!  Making a lot of noise, too.

robins nest

robins nest

A few days later, the nest is a little cramped.

robins nest

robins nest

and then…they’re gone!

robins nest

In 14-16 days total, the nestlings go from newborn to fledgling.  Once they can fly, they hang around the nest for a 10-15 more days to become strong and independent young birds.  You can hear them noisily calling for mom (and food) with their high pitched, very noisy simple chirps.   Once the young birds are on their own, the parents may then start all over again 1 or 2 more times in a season.  Sometimes in the same nest, or they may build a new one.