More Youngsters

The next generation of birds keep passing through the yard. Two families of Black-capped Chickadees made a rapid transit. The family of Tufted Titmice paused briefly in a bush, giving the young one a brief opportunity to beg.Chipping Sparrow young are feeding themselves.

Yesterday was a gray - and finally rainy - day, but many young were about. Probably the best juvenile for the yard this year was a Black-and-White Warbler. (The young age is more apparent in another photo, but it is not sharp enough for posting, and even this photo is marginal) ...

Black-and-White Warbler - juvenile

 The Purple Finch juveniles were everywhere. This one may look slightly perplexed - or hopeful that someone might still provide food - but it figured things out on its own ...

Purple Finch - juvenile

American Robins were not at the feeders, but were working the lawns and the river bed, although this young bird seemed a bit perplexed about it all ...

American Robin - fledgling

 The Northern Cardinal juvenile was very skittish and especially shy about having his picture taken, but it eventually managed to grab a seeds ...

Northern Cardinal - juvenile

Red-winged Blackbirds are regular and common visitors to the yard, but yesterday I had a first ever observation when fledglings begged for food and were fed by a male. The nesting habitat is probably marginal for the blackbirds, so the males are unable to acquire the usual harem. Obviously, this drives them to desperate measures ... like helping with the child rearing ...

Red-winged Blackbird - fledgling begging

Red-winged Blackbird - fledgling being fed

And finally ... I paid attention yesterday and saw what I have been missing in the past - a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird. As many cowbirds as there are around, I knew they must be parasitizing nests, but have not had confirmation ...

Brown-headed Cowbird - juvenile

Good Birding (well, maybe with the exception of the cowbird) !!