The young ones return

[David in Stafford,VA]

Been a while. I have been busy setting up the mealworm farming routine and getting a space for them cleared in the basement.
Today was the first day that I have seen the fledglings down on the feeder pole and around the nestbox. I was able to get a few photos to post. I was also able to walk within about 10 feet of mom bird and what I think is a young female bird from the brood with a cup of mealworms for the feeder. I know that there are at least four of the birds in the trees but there could be all 5 as the flutter around in the trees on both sides of the yard. I have not seen both mom and dad bird with all of the young together at feeding time. It is usually mom and 1 or 2. Dad usually comes in solo and leaves with a beak full of the mealworms.

This one is giving me the eye as I try to take the picture.

Here is one that came in with the female bird this evening, sitting on the hummingbird feeder hook.

Mom and one of the young ones sitting on the feeder hook. This is the time I got close to them before they flew to the neighbors fence to watch me put the worms in the feeder.

David
Stafford, VA

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Cool David – lots of fun watching when they return.

[blue diamonds]

So fun to see the fledglings. As always I enjoy seeing your photos. Have you trained them all to use the cage feeder or is it still a process. My blues are very nervous about changes.

Judy-Michigan

[David in Stafford,VA]

Thanks Carol and Judy. Dad bird does use the cage but mom bird is reluctant. I took the feeder bowl out again to get the little ones used to it and will put it back in the cage, with the top off, tomorrow. That was how I started them before the hatch. W will see how that goes.

David
Stafford, VA

[Julie]

Keep us posted how that feeder process goes, David. I’m really curious to see how the young ones take to it. Love your pics, as always. I often don’t see the young ones unless they’re helping feed the later brood(s) or in the winter, coming to the heated birdbath. Then I see the whole gang. Thanks for sharing pics!! Helps me to know what to watch for around here after fledging.

[David in Stafford,VA]

Today was a good day. Mom and dad birds had the young ones at the feeder just a few minutes ago after I put out the evening mealworms. Mom fluttered around the cage but just could not bring herself to go in. She clung to the sides of the cage, which is better than she has done before. And then she went in, grabbed a few worms and flew off, leaving dad bird with 3. He proceeded to the cage and took a few worms back to 2 of the little ones.

The third one, I believe the one from the photo yesterday, followed Dad and grabbed on to the cage wires. After dad left, this one went into the cage and proceeded to take a worm from the bowl. He is still there. Dad is still feeding the other 2.

I have really done nothing to entice the birds to go in. They are just following the parent’s example.

Carol, Yes, it is really fun to watch the young fledglings grow. I expedt that the other birds will follow the leader soon. BTW, we have a completed nest again.No eggs yet but there will be.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by David in Stafford,VA.

David
Stafford, VA

[blue diamonds]

Sweet pictures…..babies are so darn cute. Sounds like they all have the feeding cage mastered now. Your photos have captured some great moments, thanks for sharing.

Judy-Michigan

[David in Stafford,VA]

Only one so far but the others have been hopping on the top of the cage. Mom bird is now going into the cage as much as dad bird so the others will probably follow.

David
Stafford, VA

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