This will probably be my last post featuring young Mockingbirds this season. It has been a busy Spring/Summer for the two Mockingbird couples that reside near our home. The pair in our front yard has raised two broods and the pair in our back yard has raised three broods of chicks this breeding season.
I was surprised when I realized the back yard Mockingbird couple re-used their nest for their third, and probably final, brood. According to what I've read about them, Mockingbirds rarely re-use a nest. The location of their nest, in a sweet olive tree near my bathroom window, provided me with a fairly good view of the nestlings. It was a little difficult to capture good photos of them because the small twigs surrounding the nest were in the way.
On this particular day, the two nestlings were fussy- I could hear their little squeals from inside my bedroom. As I was taking photos, they sometimes stood up and climbed to the inside edge of the nest. I knew that soon they would leave the nest and move on to their next stage of growth as fledglings.
Sure enough, the day after these photos were taken, the nestlings were gone. They remain close, probably in nearby trees, because I sometimes hear their squeals. Mom and Dad Mockingbird will watch over them and feed them for another two to three weeks as these young ones learn to adapt to life outside the nest. Soon they will take wing and fly away...and become the beautiful songbirds they were created to be.
Good luck to them all...
HI Susan. I enjoyed your three Mockingbird posts. From over here in the UK it seems wonderful that you should have Mockingbirds nesting in your garden, not one but two pairs. Even better they are right outside the window so the birds must feel secure in your company. Delightful pictures all.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed my three Mockingbird posts, Phil. I've been fortunate to observe so much interaction between parent birds and their chicks this year, and to watch the little ones grow. It's been fun!
DeleteThe way these less the beautiful chicks change in to the great looking adults is always splendid to see.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
I agree, Stewart. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteExcellent!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh and your post below this one also...with the baby mockingbird...adorable! I so enjoyed this.
So happy you enjoyed these posts, Anni. Thank you for commenting!
Deleteso cute! hope they make it. so vulnerable at that stage!
ReplyDeleteYes, Theresa, they are so vunerable as wee ones. Particularly to cats and other birds.
DeleteThey are just precious Susan, they leave the nest so quickly!! But they will be grown and ready when the cold weather sets in!! Happy Sunday!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Debbie. Hope your weekend has been a good one!
DeleteI've only seen a mockingbird in my area once, and was attracted to the crazy songs he was singing in a crowded suburban park! I finally found the bird making the song, and although I was pretty sure it was a mockingbird, I couldn't properly identify him till I got home. These little chicks you have outside your window are adorable! I would love an opportunity like this to see them so close. I've been reading back through several previous posts, and have enjoyed seeing all your beautiful photos of the birds. I had a pair of catbirds in my yard one summer, and discovered they enjoyed apples, so I would throw a few pieces out to them each day ... seeing your birds with the watermelon and blueberries reminded me of that. Enjoy your evening. Wendy x
ReplyDeleteWendy, thank you for visiting and the kind comments. I'm happy to share my photos with others who appreciate nature, such as yourself. Have a great evening!
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