mockingbird nestlings

I have mockingbird nestlings. They were born 11-12 days ago. The first nestling jumped shipped this morning. They were all gone by the next day. Very tight quarters as they grow. The nest is in my topiary right next to my porch. The mockingbirds were use to us being around and really were no problem. This is the second generation born here on our property. A prior year we had a nest in our backyard next to the pool. The Mockers are pretty familiar with us.

3 are facing north (count the beaks), and one facing south kinda on top with his tail extending between beak 2 and 3.

One jumps ship shortly after.

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.

predators threaten nestlings

So it has been quite an exciting couple of days around here. Yesterday I came home to mama and papa cardinal going ballistic on a black snake slinking around their nest. Mama was fierce while papa took the backseat. Look at her, she looks like a raving maniac. That black snake could not get out quick enough. This morning, my husband tells me a squirrel is on our back deck. The squirrel has only been around a few weeks. Since our neighborhood is newly developed we had no trees for them for about 4 years. The oak trees the developer planted are now a good size and I guess they are starting to move in. I had read that squirrels will eat bird eggs but I had no idea they would eat nestlings! Sure enough as I grabbed my camera my husband sees him heading up the hibiscus tree trunk the nest is in! Hubby went flying out there and scared him away just in the nick of time. Makes me wonder if he has been there before and already has eaten some? Hubby went to see if he could see the babies because we have not since they were born. We haven't wanted to cause any unnecessary stress to mama and papa. As you can see, they have enough between predators and the rough grueling feeding schedule. But anyways, John went close and said papa was in the tree. Who knows when he was going to decide to react to the squirrel but hubby gave him no chance to have to. We were on it and quick! So now I am positioned so I can see the birds tree and as I type I am not even looking at the computer screen but out the window. The nestlings were born on the 25th. They are 6 days old now. I know there were at least 3 of them because I took a pic of the eggs. I didn't have a good view, there could have been more eggs in the deep nest. The baby from the previous brood has not been around since the babies were born. I read the parents probably gave him/her strict instructions to stay away. The fledgling was probably 4 weeks old though and was very independent already so hope to see him/her back when these new nestlings are old enough to allow sibling visits. Now I can see why their previous brood was only a family of 1, because of all these predators. Last year, all our 4 mocking bird babies lived through the fledgling stage when we lost track...not sure about the cardinals. Fingers crossed!

All this pics below are taken through our screen lanai about 30 feet away by my hubby who never even saw  what they were upset with till the pics were reviewed after the fact. 

Here is a link to more shots too.