Bluebirds: Fledglings feeding Nestlings!

Hi all,

Those of you who host Bluebirds may have read reports (or heard rumors) that in the rare case, Bluebird fledglings from a previous nesting have stayed to help feed the nestlings of a subsequent nesting. We have watched our blues quite intently over 7 consecutive nestings here, and never observed this behavior... until now.

Our 3rd clutch of this season (5 eggs) hatched on July 1st. In going thru the shots of that day I discovered this apparent attempt on the part of 1st-nester fledge, to feed his 1day old bretheren:

Fantastic behavioral series I never realized that the Bluebirds stayed behind to help with the newer siblings.
It is common behavior of the Florida Scrub Jays.

Thanks for posting these interesting shots and dialog... great shots as usual Kenn, but I never knew that this took place... your Bluebirds are splendid citizens of the bird world...

Thats awesome Kenn! We had the very same thing happen. Last year our Bluebirds produced a single chick in the second brood and that chick helped feed the 3rd brood chicks. It was neat to watch. Here are a couple (sub-par) shots of him.

That is amazing Kenn. They look like they are making a game of it.

Interesting set of shots

Great shots, Kenn... what a neat record of fascinating behavior.

Kenn, this is an absolutely fantastic post. Great photos and great story. I had no idea this happens.

Thanks so much for bringing this to us. Great job.

Thanks everybody, for your comments and experiences,

We've heard from one other online friend that had a case similar to Brad's last year in a 2nd-nester. I think it safe to say this behavior is observed enuf to prove it happens with some Bluebirds, but it's sure not the norm. I had no idea it was common with Florida Scrub Jays, but it makes a kind of sense... they are more endangered than blues I think. Preparing the future generations to have successful nestings has to improve the chances for the species.

If anyone reading this is interested, we have a more complete "blog" documenting this behavior in our Bluebirds here

Thanks again all,

Kenn

Beautiful, beautiful shots Kenn.

Hi all,

Dredging up this old thread from July now just to let our friends here know that the North American Bluebird Society (NABS) has published a 2 page article in their Fall Journal featuring our family Blue. The article describes the (fairly rare) behavior we documented of our 1st and 2nd-nest fledges assisting with the feeding and fledging of their 3rd-nest siblings. Many of the photos as well as excerpts from this post are included in magazine story.

It's a big honor for us and our Bluebirds, and we wanted to share that with everyone here.

Kenn

Congratulations Kenn & Temple... a well deserved honor for you and your beautiful Bluebird photos... and birds.

db

Great shots Kenn!

Great series.

Congatulations on getting published in the NABS journal Kenn!! With all the dedication that y'all have with the Blues it's well deserved. Great Job.