How close was I to these fledglings? As close as I can auto focus with a 300mm f/2.8 lens, which is about 8 feet. They got so used to me bringing the meal worms that they would fly right up to the feeder while I was putting them out. I have had them actually brush my arm. Of course, I don't have my camera in my hand and it wouldn't do me much good if I did, since I can't auto focus that close. I usually move to about 10 feet and fire away. They tend to ignore me. It's hard not to get a pretty shot of a bluebird, especially if it is sitting still. They are simply photogenic. I have this fancy equipment so I try to get them in action and catch them doing unusual things or get close ups that allow us to see them better than we do in real time. Their individual feathers, for example, are very beautiful, but they usually move so fast we don't get the chance to see and appreciate them. And can you imagine seeing your reflection in his eye? Here's a shot I like from a few days ago. It has a lot going on in it. It was taken when Papa was starting to chase the fledglings out of the yard. In the center is a HOSP that was trying to steal a meal worm. Papa is coming in from our position to chase the HOSP. One of the fledglings senses Papa is coming and moves to get out of the way. After he hits the HOSP, Papa continues on and chases the fledgling for good measure. Thanks for all the kind comments. Dave

Debbie, my first year with Blues I fed mealworms and they did take mealworms to the babies constantly. Last year I fed waxworms and mealworms and the Blues were picky, would eat the waxworms and mostly leave the mealworms alone. This year I started with mealworms/waxworms and crickets. when the babies fledged this year the parents would eat the mealworms themselves and sometimes a waxworm or two but mostly take the waxworms and crickets to the babies. I think they know they need better food for the babies than the mealworms. They still did feed some of the mealworms to the babies though too, I suppose it all depends on how many bugs/worms you have around. Now that the babies here are older, 3 weeks since fledging tomorrow, the parents are eating more of the waxworms and crickets themselves but still feeding them to the babies too, also they all eat the mealworms. I had thought we lost one of our babies, there were four but once they started showing up in the backyard I always only saw three. Now that they are actually coming to the feeder with the mom and dad I am relieved to say all four are still there. Hope you get to see yours too! Do you hear any of the baby blues calling at all? Donna

get it some meal worms or some wax worms, I got to watch a nest of chippers this year and they got fed lots of those little green inch worms, dont know if it was just easy pickens for Mom and Dad at the time or if it they are a favorite. You really should get it to a rehabber. How far from where you are was it found? I am surprised it made it. A coulpe weeks means it should be ready to fly any day. If you cant get it to a rehabber at least take it back to where it was found when you let it go...it needs parents.

The original decline in populations of the Kirtland's Warbler was due to loss of the early successional jack pine habitat, through decades of fire suppression, these birds depend on. Fire opens the jack pine's cones causing seeds to come out and germinate after a fire. The young growth of pines that followed is what the Kirtland's Warbler depended on. Once the population of Kirtland's Warblers declined from loss of habitat, added pressures from parasitism of their nests by Brown-headed Cowbirds added to their declining population. So, the Kirtland's Warbler was not on the "brink of extinction" due to cowbirds, but originally was due to loss of habitat that cause their population decline in the first place. In addition to cowbird parasitism the Black-capped Vireo experienced declining populations due to loss of habitat via urbanization, fire exlcusion, grazing, and brush control. The Golden-cheeked Warbler has suffered tremendous habitat loss of its Ashe juniper habitat due to the expansion of the cities of Austin, San Antonio, and Waco. Add to that parasitism by cowbirds, and you get the same story as for the Kirtland's Warbler. These three species, both with normally limited distributions due to extremely narrow habitat requirements, make them susceptible to habitat loss and the added pressures that brings on their populations. The moral here is that other causes, primarily loss of the species primary habitat, are the reasons for the initial decline of these species. Then, the impact of cowbird parasitism is enhanced because the species impacted have such low populations from habitat loss, they can't make up for the loss of parasitism by cowbirds. Thus, wildlife biologists and land managers institute cowbird removal programs within the species last remaining breeding habitats so that populations can more easily recover as new habitat is created to aid in recovery. One should study up on it. And a final note (which has been mentioned on this and other forums) Brown-headed Cowbirds are a protected native species. Any killing of these birds, however deemed "right", is illegal without a permit. If you are going to write about killing them or other species besides starlings, house sparrows, and rock pigeons that are not protected, you should be prepared for people responding to your posts with less than sympathetic views. BN