Empty Nesters.

Tamara Nugteren


Well, it's official ~ Francine and Alberto are empty nesters.

Jay and Daisy left the nest sometime this morning (Saturday) at 17 days old.  I was hoping to see them go, but it wasn't meant to be.  I could tell that it would be anytime now and we have been watching them every chance we get from our kitchen window.
For the last two days they have been actively walking around in their nest, fluffing their feathers and looking out.  (Prior to that they did nothing.)  Francine and Alberto have also been loudly encouraging them them to fly during this time.  They were frequently flying up to and around the nest - it was pretty cool to watch.

Close up of Jay and Daisy at 16 days old.
Almost ready to leave!

Jay and Daisy, as viewed through our kitchen
window - a little grainy due to the window screen.
I can't imagine if all 5 had hatched!
That would have been crowded!

The video below shows Jay and Daisy fluffing their feathers and walking around in the nest - this is their last day before flying off! 

 

 This video, below, shows Francine and Alberto taking turns feeding Jay and Daisy.  This was also taken on their last day on the nest.  The parents continued to fly up to and around the nest all day - I assume encouraging the little ones to come out! 

 

You can see two of the unhatched eggs left in
the nest after Jay and Daisy flew off.

Though we can't see Jay and Daisy anywhere, I'm sure they are close by.  We had another Finch nest last year and I was able to watch them leave the nest.  Those babies stayed in a close by bush until they were brave enough for another flight.  Their mother continued to bring them food all day in their new perches.  Such a good mother! I'm sure Francine is doing the same thing.

As soon as I have the chance I'll be moving the Finch family's nest.  I've read that as long as it is there they will come back and lay new eggs - even in the same season.  We have had a lot of fun spying on this family, but it's time to plant my Hens & Chicks (the plant - don't be confused with more birds!) before it dries out in the plastic pot I bought it in.

12 Days Old!

Tamara Nugteren


Well, Daisy and Jay are 12 days old.

They are still fed often by Francine and Alberto (AKA Mom and Dad) and have yet to see beyond the edge of their nest.  But they will soon.  The website wild-bird-watching.com says that a House Finch will leave the nest 11-19 days after hatching.  I guess it depends on how comfortable the nest is!  Since there are only two birdies in their nest, they are not a bit crowded and they don't look like they are in a big hurry to leave. But it is getting a bit nasty around the edges.

We were gone over the weekend, but look how much they have changed in just a couple of days! The last photo was taken only 3 days ago.  This picture is from a few hours ago.  Notice the difference in their feathers.  Amazing, right?

In case you can't tell what you are looking at:
One bird is facing the bottom left corner of the photo
(you can see it's beak) and the other bird is facing
the top right corner of the photo (you can see it's tail feathers).  

Feathers and a cute little turtle.

Tamara Nugteren


Jay and Daisy are starting to get their feathers in - which to our eyes means they are finally getting a little cuter.  If you look closely you can actually see the quills (or, if you were holding a leaf, the equivalent of the stem).  They will keep getting fluffier every day now.

While my husband was mowing the other day, he found this cute little guy walking in the grass. It's a tiny painted turtle - probably making its way to the water after hatching. He is about the size of a silver dollar, but will grow to about 6-7 inches across.

    

The final count is in.

Tamara Nugteren


We are getting a minor in "Finch" this Spring. It's really fun to watch and interesting as well!
But, not everything in nature is as rosy as a Disney film.  After much expectation, it looks as if only 2 of the five eggs will hatch.  Apparently, it is common for some of the eggs to go unfertilized (now I'm curious how that happens, but I think I'll let you Google that on your own...).  When that happens, eventually the mama will throw them out. We'll see.

Since the kids could not agree on bird names, I've decided to call them Jay and Daisy in honor of The Great Gatsby.*  Jay and Daisy are one week old today.

Here is the latest photo.  They are really growing, and they are slightly more attractive.  A few more feathers really help! They are sleeping whenever I check on them, but I'll continue to try to get a picture of them with there big eyes open.

Jay and Daisy taking a nap.

Here are a few House Finch factoids for you:

From www.allaboutbirds.org
"House Finches eat almost exclusively plant materials, including seeds, buds and fruits. Wild foods include wild mustard seeds, knotweed, thistle, mulberry, poison oak, cactus, and many other species. In orchards, House Finches eat cherries, apricots, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, blackberries, and figs. At feeders they eat black oil sunflower over the larger, striped sunflower seeds, millet, and milo."

From www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/house_finch (This one really shows how team parenting is important!)
The female incubates 4 to 5 eggs for 13 to 14 days while the male brings her food. The female broods the young for the first few days after they hatch, and the male continues to bring food. The female then joins the male in bringing food to the young. The young leave the nest after 12 to 15 days and may be fed by the male for about two more weeks, while the female starts a second clutch. Pairs may raise three or more broods each season.

If you or your children want to hear the finch songs and calls, check out this link:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Finch/sounds

Last, if you haven't seen the video I took of Jay just after he hatched "singing", make sure to check it out here.  It seems as if not everyone was able to view it on my blog. Best with sound.  Enjoy!


* You really need to see The Great Gatsby, if you haven't yet.  If for no other reason, because it has Leo in it. ;-)