Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

Carolina Wren

Rendezvous at the Worm Feeder

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According to The Spruce, bird mating may occur several times prior to nesting.  The actual sex act can last less than a second.  There are many posts on Feathers and Fuzz about bird parenting, but this is the first time I witnessed an actual mating occur.

The Carolina Wrens Meet at the Feeder in the Early Morning Light

 

Jewelry, perfume and heels? Not this chick! 

Just a tantalizing worm, and a flash of the tail, was all it took to get her mate’s attention.  Mr. Wren was a bit clueless at first, but when he lands on the feeder and observes his mate, one can almost see the light bulb go off in his head.

Birdbath Classes: Wren Performs Massage Bath

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Continuing with the Birdbath Classes theme, the Carolina Wren demonstrates the Massage Bath technique.  I'm guessing s/he was feeling dusty and decided a real scrub was in order.

Meanwhile ...

Much to my surprise, 3 of the 4 "Garden Bluebird" eggs did hatch on July 7-8.  That's 16+ days after the 3rd egg was laid -- well-past the normal 14 days.  Still weird.  As you can see in the photo -- we have color.  I have now decided I prefer watching  tiny, hot nestlings in black and white.  (The nestling on the left only looks dead -- I assure you it is not!)

To continue the weird theme, the rural bluebirds built their third nest and a first egg was produced on July 9.  No second egg  on July 10 (and no sign of a Cowbird!).  If this nesting continues, and the egg/s hatch, those nestlings are going to be warm!!

Garden Bluebirds - 3 Days - Color

Garden Bluebird Nestlings: Day 3

East Bluebird - First Egg - July 9

First Bluebird Egg: East House (July 9)