These babies are either trained to pretend they're sleeping when strangers are nearby or they're the most tired little birds I ever met. I accidentally woke them up the other day when I was locked out, but other than that I've never heard a peep from them.
As I was taking this latest picture I was being dive bombed by one of the parents. They were going by so fast and making all of these strange clicking sounds. I didn't even see which one it was. It was crazy.
I didn't have the time to hang around and see who it was since I was on my way out to bring Cheesehead some lunch on my birthday. He had to work 8am-10pm that day. His lunch pail just wasn't big enough for that much food and "ice cubes" and I knew I'd want to see him after being gone 2 days.
I was too tired to check when I got home after dinner, all I wanted to do was rest and get on the internet.
When we were outside yesterday working on the shed I saw two blue birds that looked identical fly away from the nest together. I used to think that it was mom and dad when I saw them together, but I have since seen that mama isn't that blue. I have seen more than one on several occassions, but usually not three of them. Mom bird was obvious of course but who is that other bird?
I wonder if it's an other brother helping the parents protect the nest. Maybe Grandpa came to visit? Was Dad showing off his babies to a good friend and neighbor? Weird. Usually I've just seen one at a time and didn't give much thought to it. What do you think?
Thank you for stopping by. Please leave me a message and a backlink. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Cindy
13 comments:
Cute picture Cinj. I think baby birds must learn early to listen to cues from their parents about danger, etc., because I noticed when I was outside, my baby robins would hardly even stick their head of the nest. I also learned to leave nests alone after about 10 days because once I caused some baby finches to leave way too early by peeking in the basket. I hope that doesn't happen to you. Four more baby bluebirds in the world would be incredible.
Ah, what a sweet picture of sleeping baby bluebirds!
Great picture of the babies Cinj. But be careful of the Momma & Poppa. Bluebirds are pretty protective over their nests.
Our mommy Bluebird is currently sitting on her third batch of eggs. Yes, she is a busy little lady! The older siblings will assist in the raising of the following broods. So you probably saw a sibling from the first batch of eggs for the year. Although, you should still see some spots on them. In your neck of the woods I would say you will only get two broods each year.
Our bluebirds are not aggressive towards us at all. That may be because we feed them meal worms daily. I whistle and they come flying from no where along with the titmouse, chickadee and wren! I have seen our blues dive bomb other birds and squirrels when in the area of their house. But our birds will let us open the house to get a peek. It is best to let them be so as to not stress anyone. We usually just peek in to get a count of eggs then young babies then let nature takes it course... Great picture of the babies!
I'd say it's an older sibling also, Cinj. Glad your little bluebird family's thriving!
Kathleen- Good tip. I am going to tell the kids to stay away. The parents don't bother me unless I'm looking directly at the nest. If I'm working nearby they just sit in the trees and keep an eye on me. The birdbath is right next to the nest as are several flowers. They're very smart birds to recognize the difference in activities. I did take one last peek today, one of the babies looked right at me as dad swooped and clicked. I didn't see him, but Cheesehead was watching.
Amy- Thanks. I sure wish I had taken a picture of that baby looking at me.
Perennial- You're not kidding. I think I'll steer clear from now on, I'm sure they'll just get braver as the babies get older.
Skeeter- Wow, that is a busy bird! I wonder if our birds will have another batch. Do they usually use different nests each time?
Are the siblings the same color as the dad? I didn't see any spots on the one that flew off with him. Not that I got a close up view or anything.
I think I'll start feeding them if they hang around.
Ben- Me too! It's great to see them so well fed and healthy. I hope at least a few of them hang around.
Very cool Cinj! I haven't seen blue birds around here, and I learned a lot reading your post and the comments.
I can't wait to see them when they get bigger, I wonder how long it will be until they fly or leave the nest. Hmmm
Cinj, We clean out the nesting box with each brood soon after the babies fledge. The parents will build a new nest in no time at all. This way the babies will be healthier starting out life in a clean nest. The Bluebirds and Wrens are neat birds removing their babies poop sacs but mites or tiny bugs can still get into the nest so best to start life in a clean home.
Our bluebirds are funny because they will rotate nesting boxes with each brood! We have had the houses for them for 7 years and the best we can tell we have been responsible for around 75 baby bluebirds! Of course they dont all make it as cats and hawks get their share!
The birds will get bluer in time but they keep their spots for a while. When flying you will mostly see the blue of the tail feathers though. So it could have been a baby you saw in flight.
Being a shorter summer where you are located, you may only have one to two broods. We always have two but this is the second summer for three broods so we think it may be a mild winter. Birds need time to grow strong enough to survive the winters and watching the wildlife can some times tell us what to expect for weather, but they are just like the weatherman, not always right! LOL.
I have some great pictures of our bluebirds collecting the meal worms. I love to feed them the worms and watch them take them to the babies to eat. Cute..
I'm excited when I see a bluebird in the neighborhood...how wonderful to watch them grow up!
Gail
Linda- I had never seen bluebirds before this year either, it's very educational. I have had baby birds before though. In MN they seemed to like to nest in my hanging bag or hanging baskets. I had to be very careful not to water the nest. They were the same kind of birds every year, I never looked up what kind they were though. It's neat watching baby birds grow up.
Kathi- I heard they usually fledge after about 20 days, but I'm just relaying what one webpage said. I sure wish I had a better camera.
Skeeter- I'm thinking about building some bluebird houses this summer, they'd be easier to clean than the house they're using right now. I also looked up some feeder directions and recipes to feed them. I'm thinking about making a birdfeeder too. I read that there could be up to two broods, but since summer is already 1/2 way over I don't know if they'll have any more here.
Thanks for sharing all of the information. You should share your pictures sometime, I'd love to see them.
Gail- It is very special. I'm feeling prety special to have them as neighbors.
I will send you a few of my favorite pics if you like. I looked on your profile and did not see an email address for you though...
Oh how cute(-: I bet they are pretending to sleep. Safety reasons.
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