Friday I checked on the nest box for a last peek at the bluebird babies. By my calculations they were twelve days old, and disturbing them after that point risks them leaving the nest prematurely. So from now on it’s best to just let nature take it’s course.
female and male bluebirds in tree (click on any image to enlarge)
During this visit, the parents once again sat quietly in the nearby cherry tree. For a minute, that is. This time I tarried a bit too long looking in the nest, and mama bluebird decided to spring into action. First she swooped behind me, then as I fumbled to get the nest box reattached to the pole, she swooped right over my head. I finally got things in order and quickly walked away.
young bluebirds at twelve days old
The young bluebirds are getting a nice set of feathers, and are even showing a bit of color. Like the last visit, they payed no attention to me. It is getting to be a box full of bluebirds though! If you look closely you can see all five of them in the above photo.
female bluebird after feeding young
Since the nest box is located not far from the house and screened porch, we have a ring side seat for feeding activities. The young have taken to coming to the opening and begging for food. We can see them there with beaks open. Yesterday I sat on the deck with camera in hand and captured these shots of first the female, and then the male coming to feed the young. The male looks like he has a woolly caterpillar in his beak. The young bluebird is waiting at the opening. I wonder if they stand on each other inside the box.
male bluebird with caterpillar in beak
That’s the latest bluebird update from Happy Acres. Hopefully my next update will be in about a week, when the box will be empty and the five young bluebirds will be out of the nest. Until then, the parents will be busy parenting and we will be busy watching!