Or should it have flown from its nest? Little guy has been hiding out beneath a big leafy tree as its branches lay across the black top and make good cover. I saw one youngster in flight today but not sure it was this one. He naps out in the sun and I snapped a few pics of him. Is it possible that it will get off the ground and fly as it grows?

I'd leave it be.

The mother is aggressive / protective. The best shot it's going to have is with her hanging around.

I believe she has been feeding him. I put down 2 crushed grapes and 4 broke up apple slices yesterday and they disappeared. I know our ticket booth lady feeds the adults crushed grapes. Had 1 adult fly right through the end of the building where the produce and fruits are sold.

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
Depends on how long his runway is between those leaves.


Sorry David, couldn't resist!

I had thought about giving him a little air lift so he can paddle those wings. He has all feathers. I will wait a few days. Keep my eye on the Flea Market cat I feed at night.

It's what they do.
They fledge from bushes and shrubs.

OK thanks sigmonkey. The other youngster is flying around again. Just saw him come in. I just fed the black cat so he shouldnt bother the birds. I enjoy seeing a down sized mocking bird flying.. . BTW, I think they are Floridas State bird as well as Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas and one other.

The mama birds often will fly top cover for the little ones.

I have seen them give cats a hard time if the cats get to nosy.

quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
Depends on how long his runway is between those leaves.


Sorry David, couldn't resist!

I had thought about giving him a little air lift so he can paddle those wings. He has all feathers. I will wait a few days. Keep my eye on the Flea Market cat I feed at night.

LOL I deleted my message as I thought the humor was probably misplaced in this thread. But I see you were able to respond anyhow.

Mama bird flew over him and I watched him wiggle his short tail feathers. He opened his wings a few times and flew 20 feet.. He's getting it. The other fkedgling thinks hes a little fighter jet. Kinda short and chubby to fly like the adults.

He went over 100 feet across the parking lot, 10 inches off the ground.. . He tried to land atop the chain link fence but landed in the fence a foot from the top. He's gonna be a flyer in no time.

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
Depends on how long his runway is between those leaves.


Sorry David, couldn't resist!

I had thought about giving him a little air lift so he can paddle those wings. He has all feathers. I will wait a few days. Keep my eye on the Flea Market cat I feed at night.

LOL I deleted my message as I thought the humor was probably misplaced in this thread. But I see you were able to respond anyhow.

I sent you 2 pics I scrolled in to take with my phone.

David he will be fine. His momma has his back.
Mocking birds are so cool how they dive bomb as protective measure.

Had a nest in the honey suckle trellis just outside one of my backdoors and she would dive bomb myself and buster my first bloodhoud when we would come out the back door.
I finally learned and stoped using that back door for a few weeks till they left the nest.

That's cool Mustang. This little one hasn't discovered altitude yet. All these little short flights but hes landing over the curbs and a hole in the chain link fence. Pretty entertaining to watch. And yes the mother is still feeding him.

David's pictures.

They are very entertaining. It takes alot for the mom to give up.

Thank you for posting the little budger bald1. I surprised him Sunday morning as I got quite close and was putting down crushed grapes and apple slices broken up. He was asleep sitting there and when he opened his eyes and saw me, he let out a couple peeps and beat feet for the tree cover. I enjoy watching them chase the other birds all day.

quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:
Thank you for posting the little budger bald1.

Glad to help David. It seems that both you and the little bird are embarking on new chapters in your respective lives. Enjoy!

I always worry about those little guys. We see them in our large partly wooded back yard, and our I/O kitty usually takes them out, along with baby the rabbits. I hate to see those baby birds eaten by our cat, even though our cat is a really nice family member. But yea I worry about baby birds. There's nothing more innocent or more deserving of life than a baby bird learning how to fly.