Tight Fit

 At least one of these North American baby robins will be ready to fledge any day now. I can see the young birds begin to stretch their awkward wings above the nest. The adult robins work together to feed their growing babies several dozen meals each day. Most of the time it is hard for me to tell the adult male and female apart other than the female sits on the nest. Male robins are supposed to have a bolder colored breast and grey tail and the female is paler. Since they are never in the same place at the same time, it is hard to compare them. As soon as I venture near the nest, the mother robin flies away to divert attention away from the babies. If I linger too long, the parents start the warning calls. Usually they scold me from the roof but today the warning "tuts" came right above my head.
 
Watchful mother robin or father robin. I'm not sure.

On May 23, 2011, the nest looks like a bowl of feathers.

7 comments:

  1. Will you have "empty nest" syndrome when these babies leave? I know I will miss the posts on their growth and progress. Nice job documenting their lives!

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  2. Oh, I just love watching the growth from baby fledgling to grown bird. It such a wonderful sight to see when they finally start learning to fly. Enjoy your new birdie friends! Great pictures!

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  3. Every year there are robins that build nests right outside my back door on the rafters of our deck. We always love watching the process. Last year there were two nests side by side and at times once the babies were born the mom would sit in the other nest to have her own space, while being close to the babies. It is always so fun to watch. I am glad that you are enjoying it as well!

    So far this year the nest is there, but I haven't seen much activity other than that...

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  4. I love the pics, and the way you've been able to really observe what's going on. Fascinating details.

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  6. They are so cute! Thanks for including the detailed descriptions of male and female robins. I never knew this!

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  7. Beautiful! I love the pictures. I especially liked the "tut"; I can hear the sound. MaryHelen

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