First Fledgling for 2024
I think this is a fledgling, but I’m not sure . Can someone please look at this photo and let me know. This bird has not gone too far from the house. When a different kind of bird comes around, he ties to get back inside. I know it’s a male by its song. An adult male stays right next to it and doesn’t let it get too far. I’m guessing that’s the father. It can fly, but it doesn’t go too far. About a month ago, a pair was nesting so I’m guessing this is a fledgling. This is my first year. I’ve never seen a fledgling so I’d like to know if this is one. Thanks.
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Hi Laura. I can’t tell by the photo but if you see it open its beak to be fed then I’d say yes. Generally fledglings stick close to each other and there are more than one. Another sign is if the wings are longer than the tail it’s a young bird. If when it opens it’s beak the inside of the mouth is yellow, it’s a young bird. Almost looks like an SY male, especially if its vocals are strong male vocals. Brent
Brent
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 2737
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024:
HOSP: 35 Starlings: 23
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 36 PMCA excluder gourds, 6 room trio mini castle with troyer tunnels and enlarged compartments.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024
PMCA member
Laura,
I don't know. If its a fledge, it wouldn't sound like an adult or sub adult male martin. Are the adults around and feeding other chicks? Do you see the adults feed this one? Could be that its one of the first to fledge in a brood, but typically the adults or one of them will continue to feed the rest in the nest. They take their fledge away from the colony to teach them their skills.
Just my 2 cents
I don't know. If its a fledge, it wouldn't sound like an adult or sub adult male martin. Are the adults around and feeding other chicks? Do you see the adults feed this one? Could be that its one of the first to fledge in a brood, but typically the adults or one of them will continue to feed the rest in the nest. They take their fledge away from the colony to teach them their skills.
Just my 2 cents
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1561
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go. :)
That seems way way too soon for a fledgling. Even for florida. Maybe a SY?
Agreed. I am in FL and my earliest should be fledging the first week of May. Fledglings are taken to nearby trees or power lines to gather and be fed. They generally have no interest in returning to the gourd except to roost before dark for a few days.
Based on the vocals you’re hearing it is a sub adult male. They will rush into a cavity when martins come by hoping to entice a female to enter.
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Phil01
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:42 pm
- Location: Fernandina Beach FL
- Martin Colony History: 34 Cavities offered.
24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.
2020- 1 pair, 4 eggs, fledged 3
2021- 3 pair, 15 eggs, fledged 8
2022- 5 pair, 26 eggs, fledged 21
2023- 10 pair, 53 eggs, fledged 27
PMCA Member
Yep, too early for fledglings down here in my opinion. Probably SY. They are starting to show up in force here in NE Florida.
Phil
Phil
PMCA member
Fernandina Beach, FL
Fernandina Beach, FL
Yes, you are right, it is a sub male. I now have two couples nesting in my birdhouse. The new couple is building their nest now. I was hoping to see some babies before I leave Florida the first week of May. But I don’t think that’s going to happen. Thanks for all of your input. I really appreciate it. I am learning so much.
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Martintown33
- Posts: 951
- Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
- Location: Laplace,La
- Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack
Glad you figured it out. I Was going to say, , Brent’s description of a fledgling is correct. .. Looks like an SY male..for future reference, fledglings do not sing like adults, from my observation, they just have a short single . chirp…
Rob
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
Laplace, La
It’s interesting to see the difference between the two couples. The first couple, an adult male and female , that arrived in February, stay by the house all day. I’m guessing they are caring for babies by now but I’m not sure. The new couple, a sub male and female that arrived a few weeks ago, are gone all day and come back in the evening to work on their nest. It’s nice to see my plans payed off with installing the new house with SREH entrances and enlarging the rooms inside. I think they like their waterfront suites!