Hop. Flap. Land on something smooth. Fall off. Repeat.

[kristina]

We've been following the progress of a nest of two or three (haven't actually seen inside the nest) blue jays and their parents. All kinds of ruckus when mum and dad are in the nest, and dead silence when they're out getting a meal.

Yesterday morning, I saw a half-fluffy blue and grey bird hopping around my backyard; one of the fledglings must have fallen out of the nest. It was hopping around our back yard, flapping its wings and not really getting anywhere. One of the parents showed up and seemed to be keeping an eye on it. I put a bowl of water on the ground, and crumbled up a slice of WW bread. Checked again this morning before leaving the house; baby is still hopping, but the wings are working a little better (it can get higher than yesterday), and an adult was flying around, showing the kid how to do it, I guess. Bread all gone, saw the adult drinking from the bowl.

I hope he learns to fly soon; I need to water the garden, but don't want the little one to freak out!

[loCAtek]

You can put him back in the nest, if you can reach it. On the ground he's vulnerable to cats, etc. Just put on some gloves; I've done it before. I think it's a myth that the Mama bird will reject him because of your scent, but the gloves are just in case.

[kristina]

We would if we could, loCA. The nest is way higher than our tallest ladder. I worry about the local cats (our kitty doesn't go outside), and also the possums. Momma/Poppa seems to be hanging around and encouraging the little one, and the little one looks to be pretty close to flying.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

[Crackpot]

At the Nature center near our house they have a rescued red tailed hawk in a rather large pen (it has a broken wing and will never fly again) over the years it has gotten used to people and will roost near the front of the pen as it was today. In fact it was near enough to reach in and pet it. Though as I said to my wife "I'm tempted to but, then I see it's talons and beak.

[loCAtek]

Keeping my fingers crossed!

I'm rootin' (cheering) for him. 'Round here, the jays like peanuts and sunflower seeds, you don't even have to shell them. They're very smart birds and are probably aware and appreciate you're trying to help. Betcha make friends for life!

[kristina]

Both kids are on the ground, as of this morning, with at least one parent in attendance. They don't fly as far away as they used to when we go into the yard; maybe they do know we're not a threat!

I'm going to stop on the way home and get some sunflower seeds and unsalted peanuts (thanks for the suggestion!)

[loCAtek]

In fact it was near enough to reach in and pet it. Though as I said to my wife "I'm tempted to but, then I see it's talons and beak.

Bring him a leg of lamb, and he'd prolly let you pet him

[loCAtek]

Did they receive clearance for take-off?

[kristina]

We haven't seen them, but we also haven't seen any piles of blue and grey feathers, so I am hopeful that they survived and are now flying around the neighborhood, making lots and lots of noise!!

The hummingbirds have discovered the feeder on my back porch, and I have at least two species visiting many times a day.