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Description
The Western Bluebirds kept me busy this year. After they got interested in a house that was too big for them and would put them in danger of Acorn Woodpeckers, we put up a proper house and they moved right in and were soon feeding youngsters. I was able to shoot them out an open window without any apparent disturbance as they perched on a nearby limb carrying bugs. Then I got brave and moved closer and was able to shoot them flying from the limb to the house. I just managed that for a few days and they fledged, the 11th. Then the 13th I saw this little one on a perch near the feeders and got several nice poses. That’s the only youngster I’ve seen this year, and it may be from an earlier brood. Somehow it doesn’t strike me as young-looking as some I’ve seen in previous years.
EDIT: I added an interesting side note below in my reply to Glennie.
Denoise and crop in LR, and a touch of Vibrance for a cloudy morning. Into PS to darken the perch a little. Full frame top to bottom, cropped in from the sides a little.
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I really love these special little drabish birds. I think their true character shines through…no need for fancy dress. You’ve captured a very sweet pose.
Colours are wonderful. The teamwork of blues and browns can’t go wrong. And, of course the background is perfect.
Thanks, @glennie! They live here year-round but the youngsters will grow up quickly.
I knew they were getting close to fledging from previous years’ observation – the kids were sticking their heads out of the nest box and looking around, and looking at the ground with what seemed some trepidation. Last year I actually saw them take off. I had placed a perch close by hoping they would hop onto it but one shot out of the hole like a little rocket and made for the trees down by the creek where the parents often went. Then the second did the same, then a third!
I wasn’t sure how close they were, though, as they hadn’t been leaning as far out the hole as in previous years. But I saw the strangest thing just before this last group fledged. The evening before, I saw a juvenile hovering around the nest box, twice. And there were several adults down by the creek, when I had rarely seen more than a pair at one time. Was the clan gathering to welcome the newest youngsters???
The Bluebirds are known as a “helper” species. The youngsters of an earlier brood will help with the next and particularly help encourage the fledglings to come out and enjoy the larger world. If one of a pair is lost, other birds have been known to help feed the youngsters as well.
Love the pose you caught Diane with a bit of a head turn towards us. A pleasing image all around and great to see this youngster doing well. I’ve photographed young of the year bluebirds brining in insects to a later brood in the nest box. Intriguing behavior to witness.
Nice frame.
Wow again! I’d love to see that! I’ve always tried to keep my distance when they are nesting, managing to get some occasional pictures most years. But I’ll watch out for this behavior in the future!
Interesting read about the young helpers! We have Noisy Miners that have the same behaviour. In some parts they are called Happy Family. The family groups grow to maybe 12-15 birds of various ages. Our magpies that visit have adopted a female, not from the orginal pair. The threesome work well together, but breeding season is approaching so it will be interesting to see how the adopted daughter gets treated by the resident matriach.
