One fell off the porch

[C.C.Martins]

Just stepped out to see a fledge fall off a lower porch, straight down about 10 feet. Mom went down immediately, but this little guy couldn't fly yet. Picked him up, his or her keel is pronounced.
Before I put him back fed him a bunch of soaked June bugs. Gently pried open his beak with a fingernail and plopped the bug in. He ate ok, what was neat was his head feathers would fluff up at the sight of the bug if it were presented to him right in front of his beak.
It was easy enough to return him, scooted right into his entrance. Im sure he's telling stories of his abduction, giants with scaly skin, big eyes, and are green! (I have a green shirt on).
Its hot and dry here again, few bugs again, they are really crowding the entrances.
Good timing for us both.

[Phil01]

Nice save Tom! I’m sure he had quite the story to tell his nest mates! lol Right before he passed out in a food coma! That’s really cool how he got excited to see a bug too! Such interesting creatures!
Phil

[C.C.Martins]

It was pretty cool, never noticed that, fed lots of chicks unfortunately. Reminded me of our cockatiels crest. Up and down based on her attitude.

[Phil01]

Yep, yep our cockatoo does the same thing. Right before she chews me out.. lol
Nice save my friend!
Phil

[DeeCee]

Great timing! That is one lucky fledgling. Glad you were able to help it.

[lockharttaylor]

Looked out this morning and saw a martin looking around the shed in the back yard, went to look found one baby down, returned him to the nest after trying to figure out which one he came from. we were lucky we had just did a nest check the day before.

[Oceangirl]

Just stepped out to see a fledge fall off a lower porch, straight down about 10 feet. Mom went down immediately, but this little guy couldn't fly yet. Picked him up, his or her keel is pronounced.
Before I put him back fed him a bunch of soaked June bugs. Gently pried open his beak with a fingernail and plopped the bug in. He ate ok, what was neat was his head feathers would fluff up at the sight of the bug if it were presented to him right in front of his beak.
It was easy enough to return him, scooted right into his entrance. Im sure he's telling stories of his abduction, giants with scaly skin, big eyes, and are green! (I have a green shirt on).
Its hot and dry here again, few bugs again, they are really crowding the entrances.
Good timing for us both.

What an absolutely adorable story!!!!!!! I'm so glad you were there for the little fledgling. May he live long and prosper

[C.C.Martins]

Like Lockharttaylor, just happened to be there at the right time and looking. Hope that's all the drama this season, but doubt it.
Phil, I love our cockatiel! She is a daddys girl for sure, only when SHE wants to be. And only when its going her way. Right now she is quite tired, someone refused to go to her cage last night. Tried and tried, normally she goes right in. So went to bed! She was up on the ceiling fan this morning. Probably not a wink of sleep.

[Phil01]

Tom, hahaha That’s hilarious! Yes, it’s always when THEY want it and on their terms. She was probably up all night with the remote, going into your frig and drinking all your beer! They are such intelligent creatures, it’s amazing!

Mine is daddies girl also but loves my wife and daughter too as long as it’s all about her. lol I get screamed at every night for about 5 minutes at bedtime then she’s fine.
Man, I could never leave her out overnight. I’d wake up in the morning and my wooden blinds would be in a pile on the floor. Best bird toy EVER! lol

[C.C.Martins]

Danng it! I didn't check the fridge....no wonder she's tired! Lolol!
They sure are smart, she says "who's a good girlllllllllllll" when she's lazy it changes to "whos a good" and "kisses? Thank you!"
She picked up "your welcome." And is hypnotized by the coffee maker, she must supervise and is not happy until alls done correctly.
Now I'm whistling if your happy and you know it to see if she picks that up.
Oh the blinds! That would straight happen. I can just imagine, everything is a toy. It all goes in the beak. Cmon, just one night....how bad can it be? Lol!

[Phil01]

Wow, she’s a really good talker! I bet she repeats the whistling soon, or at least the tune of it. It’s amazing the things they pick up. And then it’s like, where did you learn that word? Maybe the TV? Her newest phrase is, “whatcha doing?” And boy you better answer or it gets progressively louder! lol
That’s funny with the coffee maker! Has to be just right! I get the same thing when I get her chop in the morning. Stands on my shoulder and watches every move, has to look in the frig, see what I’m grabbing and make sure I’m doing it correctly…
Everything to the beak for sure! After loosing a button or two on my work shirts I’ve learned to put them on AFTER I give her breakfast. lol
Good stuff.

On a Purple Martin note, today was the earliest fledge date for my oldest nest. But they stayed put. Tons of commotion going on all day.

[Martintown33]

Great save Tom! Great timing too.. I’m glad you were able to help the little guy out.. agree on the cockatiel.. I had one for many years.. I could have sworn that bird was half human, with some of the things it would do!
Rob

[C.C.Martins]

Wow, she’s a really good talker! I bet she repeats the whistling soon, or at least the tune of it. It’s amazing the things they pick up. And then it’s like, where did you learn that word? Maybe the TV? Her newest phrase is, “whatcha doing?” And boy you better answer or it gets progressively louder! lol
That’s funny with the coffee maker! Has to be just right! I get the same thing when I get her chop in the morning. Stands on my shoulder and watches every move, has to look in the frig, see what I’m grabbing and make sure I’m doing it correctly…
Everything to the beak for sure! After loosing a button or two on my work shirts I’ve learned to put them on AFTER I give her breakfast. lol
Good stuff.

On a Purple Martin note, today was the earliest fledge date for my oldest nest. But they stayed put. Tons of commotion going on all day.

Phil she sounds like a wonderful handfull!!!! Whatcha doin?? Hahahaha! Too cute!

[C.C.Martins]

Great save Tom! Great timing too.. I’m glad you were able to help the little guy out.. agree on the cockatiel.. I had one for many years.. I could have sworn that bird was half human, with some of the things it would do!
Rob

Luck on both our parts Rob. Can't wait to retire, ill watch em all day!

[Martintown33]

Totally agree Tom… I took early retirement 2 years ago… definitely gives more time to care for and enjoy our martins.. but it’s not good for HOSPS! I have more time to sit in the blind and wait for them.. it’s been a bit of a rough ride for those pesky HOSPS since I retired!!!.. I shot another aggressive male HOSP trying to steal possession of another gourd this morning.. man, even with a colony of martins attacking him, and harassing him, the little sucker kept trying.. until he took a break, and landed on a spot where I got a shot on him.. it seems like when these male HOSPS are so consumed with getting a gourd, they lose their skittishness… and that’s their last mistake..
Rob

[C.C.Martins]

Totally agree Tom… I took early retirement 2 years ago… definitely gives more time to care for and enjoy our martins.. but it’s not good for HOSPS! I have more time to sit in the blind and wait for them.. it’s been a bit of a rough ride for those pesky HOSPS since I retired!!!.. I shot another aggressive male HOSP trying to steal possession of another gourd this morning.. man, even with a colony of martins attacking him, and harassing him, the little sucker kept trying.. until he took a break, and landed on a spot where I got a shot on him.. it seems like when these male HOSPS are so consumed with getting a gourd, they lose their skittishness… and that’s their last mistake..
Rob

Hahahaha!!!! Man id bet. Oh cannot wait. Good for you and your birds, doom on sparrows.
Good dang job, they do seem to let down their guard when focused on a cavity, kinda strange considering the beasts will peak over roof tops with one beady eye to see if your around!
Funny though its true, one was pestering martins last week, landed on a fence post 20 feet away. Right in front of me, gave me time to line up and take time, got him right through the neck.

[Martintown33]

So true Tom! Great shot off the fence post! They are usually so frieking sneaky and skittish… but definitely get a little careless when they’re trying to take over a cavity, fighting off angry martins… they eventually need to take a break… that’s when they land, to rest……. resting for a bit, and careless… pow! Shouldn’t be trying to steal what doesn’t belong to them. There’s plenty other places they can go to nest… just not at my Martin site…
Rob

[C.C.Martins]

Hahahahahaha! Pow! Too right.