Neighborhood Nestlings Part Three: Random Nestlings

Red-winged Blackbirds

I found this Red-winged Blackbird nest woven into the reeds near the island where the geese were nesting.  My favorite story for this nest is when the chicks fledged.  Sadly, I don't have a picture of that :(  The nestlings were covered in tufts of fluff and didn't have all their flight feathers so they couldn't manage more than a frantic fluttering leap from clump to clump of reeds as they followed their mother's encouraging calls to leave the nest.

The Red-winged Blackbird male.  Every time we got too close to the nest, he would scold us until we left and follow us along the path until we were far enough away to satisfy him. **

After the female Red-winged Blackbird fed the chicks, she would fly off with a loud call to lure away any predators.  I named the nestlings Chirp, Song, and Call.

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Cedar Waxwings

Cedar Waxwings are such beautiful birds that we were greatly pleased when we found a nest. I loved many things about this family but my favorite was seeing the parents' bright colors lit up by the morning sun while shading the babies from the heat.

Cedar Waxwing, adult **

Cedar Waxwing parent shading its little ones from the morning sun. **

American Kestrels 

We have always loved kestrels; they are very beautiful and acrobatic birds!  So, it was a great pleasure when Mom and Dad spotted a family of  kestrel fledglings.  They were such a fun family that we stopped to see them on almost every walk. One time, my parents saw a kestrel adult feed its chick a huge spider!!!!!  We could often tell when the kestrels were around because they had quite a lot to say calling "Keeeee! Keeee! Keeeee!"

Three of the kestrel fledglings: Flip, Dive, and Twirl.  Male kestrels have blue on their wings and females don't. **

Doesn't she look like a perfectly behaved fledgling? **

Someone needs to tell this young kestrel to behave more like his sister.  Preening in public, honestly!  No wonder his sister has turned her back on the whole scene.

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Mallard Ducks

One time, my Mom and I were walking around Viele Lake when we saw the most adorable family of ducklings ever!  They were dabbling in the water by the reeds.  Mama Mallard looked like a good and protective parent and seemed to have very well behaved ducklings.

Aren't mallard ducklings too cute!?!?!  This is Peep.

Mama Mallard with her 6 ducklings: Fluff, Tuft, Muff, Peep, Fuzz, and Alexander.

   Image Credits:  Eva Getman; ** Dan Getman