Fledgling (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I had a wonderful experience shared with two of my best friends. One day, Adam and I were eating lunch. I noticed a young mockingbird clinging to the windowsill outside. We sat inside at the kitchen nook. The fledgling must have been the last of its clutch. Its wings not yet strong enough to carry it to safety. I had seen the mother bird fly past a couple of times to bring it food.
Excited, I said, “Adam, look at the baby!”
Four-years-old, Adam got up from his junior table and hurried to the window. He stood close mesmerized by the little bird. The fledgling seemed unafraid of its human friends. Yet, only when we stepped away from the window did the mother mockingbird return with a juicy bug or worm to feed the fledgling. So, we took up our vigil a short distance away to help her feel comfortable enough to do this.
We worried over the little bird. Fearing that a cat or wild animal might get to it before its wings developed enough to take it to safety.
When I left for the day, the fledgling still clung to the windowsill. I told Christie, Adam’s mother, about it. She then took up the vigil and continued to watch over the fledgling even when it moved to the safety of a folded lawn chair.
Each morning, Christie relayed the baby’s progress, saying that mother bird still brought food. Christie also put water out near the folded chair and told of a visit from one of the little bird’s siblings. It was such a remarkable journey to share.
Several days later, Christie said the fledgling had finally flown away from its safe haven. She had seen it perched, with its mother, on the backyard fence.
More and more, I grow to adore and admire this charming bird family. Check for other stories on this blog concerning the remarkable Mockingbird, the state bird of Texas.
Bird that “Meows” Like a Cat
(Click here for blog post) https://creativemusingsoflediar.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/4477/
Sweet Warbler
(Click here for blog post.) https://creativemusingsoflediar.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/sweet-warbler/
Related articles
- The fledgling problem (toughlittlebirds.com)
- Texas bird identification (ask.metafilter.com)
- Flight of the Fledglings (marsocmom.wordpress.com)
