The blue jay kids were keeping the parents busy this morning. I throw peanuts out and the parents scoop them up and take off with the kids following close behind. I think sometimes if I had an infinite supply of peanuts, they would never stop coming. I would be sitting there throwing them out for eternity.
We’ve been giving out raisins to robins in our yard for years. One of the super neat things about doing this is, occasionally, the parents bring the kids by for raisins!
Cardinal fledglings seem to be everywhere right now. I’m so glad to see so many in our yard this summer. It’s been a tough one with the heat and severe storms just about every other day, several free-roaming neighborhood cats, and a Cooper’s hawk nest nearby.
Cardinal fledglings seem to be everywhere right now. I am not complaining. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
I hope this little one had a safe night. I saw him yesterday hopping around. He cannot fly yet. I waited for about thirty minutes and never saw a parent check on him. He was in front of a lot of bushes I have let go wild so animals can have some cover. I did not want to scare him too much for fear he would hide and miss getting fed by a parent, so I waited. After another thirty minutes, I tried to feed him, but could not get close enough. I always go back and forth on whether to intervene; I do not want to “kidnap” a little one if the parents are around. After two hours, he was losing his little voice and I was getting worried. I decided to go out and throw a few raisins around hoping a parent would come and notice him. I imagine he just strayed too far from the rest of the family. Sure enough, a parent came soaring in and stuffed him full of raisins. He then led him away to some trees at the back of the yard. Click on picture to enlarge.
For more about when to intervene, see: http://www.owl-online.org/resourcelibrary.html While you are there, make a donation: http://owl-online.org/donate.html
© Chris Taylor
I love watching the robins feeding their kids. As hot as it has been, I have not seen them as often and was a bit worried that the heat was taking its toll this year. Good to see them! Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
I was cooking dinner when I saw this baby cardinal and her father on the patio. I ran for the camera and filmed them through the window. How sweet!
This is one cute little fuzzball. I wish the pictures were better, but I did not want to get too close. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
Baby birds are everywhere right now. Watch out for them. If you find a baby bird, do not assume it needs rescuing. Every year, good intentions separate a great deal of healthy babies from their parents. More often than not, the baby’s parents are nearby and have been feeding her/him. Cornell has some great info on what to do and what not to do.
Operation Wildlife advises if you find a baby bird and he or she is hopping, has most of his or her feathers, and has a short tail, the baby is a fledgling still learning to fly. His or her parents are nearby watching, feeding, and socializing the baby. I know it can be hard to resist getting involved. They look so vulnerable, but they need to be left alone so their parents can take care of them. If you are not sure if a baby needs help, call your local wildlife rehab. They will be happy to tell you. This is Operation Wildlife’s busiest time of the year. Donate or volunteer if you can. Join their Facebook page.
Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
We went back this morning to see how our young friend was doing and found him sitting on top of a pole near the same spot. His sister apparently fledged also. It was great to see them doing well. We also saw some activity at the other nest box. Notice the little face peeking out. Click on pictures to enlarge.