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tell me about Robin babies

13 years ago

I have been watching a Robins nest in a small cherry tree. I didn't hold much hope for it as most of the nests I have found always lose the eggs. These hatched and I was very worried because we have Blue Jays and Crows around. The nest is also fairly close to the road and all the city folks that come camp out here drive like it's a highway. Yesterday I noticed they were sitting up in the nest so I figured they would be going soon. This morning I went out and they were gone. I was very pleased UNTIL I found a pile of baby feathers under the tree. I see Mom protecting an area (lots of brush and trees) she actually knocked a Chipmonk out of a tree so I know at least one baby is out there, only 1 pile of feathers so I am hoping 2. The closest I can come to an age is 14 days. I know they were 3 to 5 days old when I first found them. 14 days may mean they were fledging when one was taken. 12-13 days may mean they were forced to flee to safety. My question, do Robin babies fly at all when they first fledge or is it normal for them to be on the ground for a few days? I have tried to locate the babies (from a distance) but they are well hidden. What preditors other than Hawks and Cats should I worry about (Im in the woods)? I can listen for Mom squaking and come running and keep an eye on the area but thats about all I can do. I will be so happy to see them in the trees. Thanks for any info you can give me about baby Robins!

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Comments (6)

lisa11310
Original Author
13 years ago
I took my laptop and worked outside all day to keep an eye on things. Mom is no longer in the area. I did notice she had moved closer to the woods. Now I do not see her anywhere around. I assume either the babies have made it to the trees or Mom has guided them deeper into the woods. I hope to see babies around my pond soon! it is a Robin hot spot!
Elly_NJ
13 years ago
Hi Lisa,

Maybe the babies were scared precipitously out of the nest? But at 12 days they can perch and jump, so like other robin fledglings they will be in the tree, on the ground and also ladder up branches in bushes. I think they have limited flight at 18 days or so.

Mom would try to guide them deeper in the woods.
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kendra2003
13 years ago
If they fledged, they can fly within 10 minutes or less. The parent birds, and any other nearby Robins will encourage them. They're really cool to watch. An adult bird will fly down near them, and then fly to something fairly low down as if to show them. They do this as many times as it takes for the fledgling to get the idea. When Robins fledged from a nest they built in my garage a few years back, the fledglings that had learned to fly would also join in on the flying lesson until all of them were on tree limbs. I bet your baby robins have made it up to the trees by now.
Elly_NJ
13 years ago
To respectfully disagree: they cannot fly well after they fledge. Not robins, anyway. The can scoot, flutter, and ladder up a tree with the help of their limited flight. They have little control of the brakes or lift. Kind of like stepping on the gas and not knowing how to steer or where the brakes are.

Flying is developmental, not learned. Meaning they don't watch their parents and say "Hmmm, I see, if I just beat harder, I can gain more lift."

Anyway, the parents are very attentive and try to lure the babies away from danger. The babies follow the parents because that is where the food comes from. This is a vulnerable time for the chicks, because they often end up on the ground and prey to predators.
dzyg
13 years ago
Yeah, we have tons of Robins every year and they have very limited flight when they fledge. Usually the scoot over to our woods/brush to stay hidden until they can fly better.

Just this morning on my walk I heard quite the rucus in the woods (not ours) and knew either a Robins nest was getting robbed or a fledgling was being taken. Out flew a hawk with a baby Robin in its feet with the parents in hot pursuit. I could hear at least one baby still cheeping in the woods.

Donna

Donna
lisa11310
Original Author
13 years ago
A happy end to this story. I have 2 babies that have learned how to bathe in the pond and also know to look under the meal worm and suit feeders for snacks. The baby boy still beggs but the little girl is pretty much taking care of herself. : )

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