cardinal fledgling 14 days old - characteristics

The fledglings are growing and learning to fly. We watched mama and papa flying with them in lesson last evening. They can get from tree to tree without problem. This morning two of the three fledglings were sitting together in our crape myrtle tree. I was able to get close enough to get a shot. This is what they look like at 14 days olds. Beak is black, eyes still bulgy and beady like a lizard, little tail is growing with slight red molting, plume coming in on top of head, coloring is a brownish above, and lighter tan/brown below, slight red molting on head and wings. Later the two were snuggling together in a different tree taking a nap. I wonder where the 3rd one is? Mama and papa were not around for the length of time I was here observing, 5-10 minutes so it makes me think they may have been with the third somewhere. I hope so because I did see a hawk this morning and they eat small birds. I'll show that in my next post.

cardinal nestlings leave nest at 9 days old

The 3 nestlings are no more. They jumped ship yesterday at 9 days old (mockers left nest on day 12 last year). All 3 babes made it to the fledgling stage. They are all now in our backyard within the confinement of our 6 foot vinyl fence. We like to call it, the great big playground. They can flap their wings, jump around, investigate, and learn life lessons all they want in here and will be pretty safe. We already know papa and mama can handle a snake and the squirrel is around but the parents do not seem upset about it at this point, so we're not either. Mama and Papa have everything under control and I tell you they are a lot more discreet and quiet about it then the mocking birds ever were. They are very hush, hush and secretive. Most people wouldn't even know what was going on unless they were incredibly observant. Mama and papa zoom around very low to the ground, faster than a speeding bullet feeding and tending to their toddlers. When a baby tried to fly they are right there beside him encouraging as if it was their first baby steps. Very cute. The parents are working together quietly (the mockers bicker a lot) and seem content and at ease. As I shot these photos they very well knew I was right there. At first, they were a bit nervous but then they carried on like I didn't exist, feeding themselves at the feeder, looking for bugs, and feeding their fledgling right in front of me.

baby cardinal growing up fast

Our baby cardinal from the first brood is growing up so fast. Beak is still black and has not turned to orange yet, and I am still unsure if it is a boy or girl, I think it is a girl. Mama has this same coloring with a lot of red. Just a pretty little thing.  Her adult plumage is still coming in. What a personality she has. Saw her again at dusk last night. She gained control of the feeder from the dove by charging like she was bigger. I think the doves know she is a baby and cut her slack. Funny. Sometimes I see her with dad and other times alone. She will get some playmates when the next brood is born that mama cardinal is incubating now.

Baby Cardinal - about 3 weeks old

While mom and dad are busy preparing for a new brood building a nest (the nest is done but not in use right yet) right here in our backyard they are also busy weening this little one. I will refer to it as a he for the sake of simplicity but I am not sure if it is a boy or girl yet. He is molting and has some red but so does mom in all the same places. He still has some baby fuzz on him. I think he is about 3 weeks old but I am not sure because I only noticed him a week ago. He is a big little guy but it is common for baby birds to be the same size as their parents. This little guy seems bigger than them. He is a chubber! This is the second day the little one has been left alone quite a bit. Yesterday, he had his first visit to the bird feeding dish all by himself and he ate around it. Today, he is like a pro at it, jumping on the rim and even in it! He tried to show his papa this first thing this morning how good he was at it,and he got chased away 3 times, I think being told to go get some insects first. You need your protein! Kinda like when you were told to eat your vegetables at the table as a child.  Anyways, he seems pretty content and confident to be alone. He is not crying for food like the mockingbird babies do when learning to be more independent. His flying skills are improving, so speedy I actually thought he was one of his parents this morning coming in. He is reacting appropriately to scary things like when our cat accidentally got outside this morning he flew away real quick. He can hold his own with brutal short rain storms we have had yesterday and today too.

Here is the little guy puffed up drying out, preening himself  in a oak tree after a horrendous windy rain storm. I went out to look for him to make sure he was okay.

Here is a slide show with more of the baby if you want to see more.

slide show of baby cardinal