Fledging Day
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Guest
A first year landlord I have 5 pairs with 14 babies. They are due to fledge any day now. My question is, is there any certain time of the day this will usually occur? I would like to be watching this happen?
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
Man - y'all ask some tough questions!!!
I would have to say mostly in the morning - however, I have seen one fledgling take off around lunch time and I have seen one fledgling take off around 3:00 pm. Some nests get fledged all at one time and some nests get spread out over a couple (or three) days.
They could fledge at 26 days old or 32 days old - or anywhere in between.
I can tell you that catching fledging in the act is a little bit tricky and elusive. But, as soon as it happens, if you are anywhere around you will know it. The colony makes a pretty good commotion and birds will come from other area colonies to watch or assist or get in the way.
Enjoy...
edit: P.S. - Congratulations on an exceptionally successful first year colony!
I would have to say mostly in the morning - however, I have seen one fledgling take off around lunch time and I have seen one fledgling take off around 3:00 pm. Some nests get fledged all at one time and some nests get spread out over a couple (or three) days.
They could fledge at 26 days old or 32 days old - or anywhere in between.
I can tell you that catching fledging in the act is a little bit tricky and elusive. But, as soon as it happens, if you are anywhere around you will know it. The colony makes a pretty good commotion and birds will come from other area colonies to watch or assist or get in the way.
Enjoy...
edit: P.S. - Congratulations on an exceptionally successful first year colony!
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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Steve Kroenke
- Posts: 4342
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 6:49 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Logansport
Hey,
Here is a link to an article I posted on Purple Martin Family Assembly Sites. You might find it of interest. Describes the fledging process and where the young martins go after leaving the nest.
http://forum.purplemartin.org/forum/vie ... e+assembly
Steve
Here is a link to an article I posted on Purple Martin Family Assembly Sites. You might find it of interest. Describes the fledging process and where the young martins go after leaving the nest.
http://forum.purplemartin.org/forum/vie ... e+assembly
Steve