Fledgling Bluebirds?

[jmcquown]

The small bird bath on my patio has been very active today. It's hot,
hot, hot here in Southern South Carolina.

I caught pics of what I think are fledgling bluebirds:

Here's the really wet one in the bath:

Loading Image...

This other bird was on the shepherd's hook waiting for a turn to splash
around:

Loading Image...

The speckled breasts with the bright blue tails and wings make me think
these are males whose breasts will soon turn orange. Lots of fun to watch.

Jill

[Leon Fisk]

On Fri, 24 Jul 2020 17:19:28 -0400

Post by jmcquown
The small bird bath on my patio has been very active today. It's hot,
hot, hot here in Southern South Carolina.
https://i.postimg.cc/tCVrvRt0/003.jpg
This other bird was on the shepherd's hook waiting for a turn to splash
https://i.postimg.cc/13QLpNx7/004.jpg
The speckled breasts with the bright blue tails and wings make me think
these are males whose breasts will soon turn orange. Lots of fun to watch.
Jill

I often see the adults but can't say I've spotted any youngsters...
Going by the image here:

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Bluebird/media-browser/63740041

I would say you have it right :)

[jmcquown]

Post by Leon Fisk
On Fri, 24 Jul 2020 17:19:28 -0400

Post by jmcquown
The small bird bath on my patio has been very active today. It's hot,
hot, hot here in Southern South Carolina.
https://i.postimg.cc/tCVrvRt0/003.jpg
This other bird was on the shepherd's hook waiting for a turn to splash
https://i.postimg.cc/13QLpNx7/004.jpg
The speckled breasts with the bright blue tails and wings make me think
these are males whose breasts will soon turn orange. Lots of fun to watch.
Jill

I often see the adults but can't say I've spotted any youngsters...
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Bluebird/media-browser/63740041
I would say you have it right :)

Thank you for the confirmation! I've seen a lot of Eastern bluebirds
but I've never seen these speckle breasted ones before. They're having
a big time in the little bird bath. :)

Jill

[Laine]

Post by jmcquown
Thank you for the confirmation! I've seen a lot of Eastern bluebirds
but I've never seen these speckle breasted ones before. They're having
a big time in the little bird bath. :)

Yep, baby Bluebirds.

Like most of the Thrush family -- Robins, for instance -- the young
are heavily speckled ... they always have a patch of blue somewhere,
though. Also like Robins they really, really enjoy bathing.

I miss seeing Bluebirds at the birdbath (the raccoons broke the darn
thing). They hang out on my deck, though, and on the electrical wires.
I can hear them even when I can't see them. One of my favorites ;-)

[super70s]

Mostly I've been seeing Blue Jays stop by for a drink lately. Not
exactly my favorite bird but I've been trying to keep the bath full for
them in this heat when the rain doesn't do it.

[jmcquown]

Post by Laine

Post by jmcquown
Thank you for the confirmation! I've seen a lot of Eastern bluebirds
but I've never seen these speckle breasted ones before. They're having
a big time in the little bird bath. :)

Yep, baby Bluebirds.
Like most of the Thrush family -- Robins, for instance -- the young
are heavily speckled ... they always have a patch of blue somewhere,
though. Also like Robins they really, really enjoy bathing.
I miss seeing Bluebirds at the birdbath (the raccoons broke the darn
thing). They hang out on my deck, though, and on the electrical wires.
I can hear them even when I can't see them. One of my favorites ;-)

Darn raccoons! They sometimes tip the little bird bath over but since
it's made of cast iron they can't break it. They've managed to break a
lot of feeders over the years but not this bird bath.

My mother tried for years to attract bluebirds. She told me she bought
meal worms, etc. The one thing she didn't try was a bird bath. Sadly,
she never got to see one. :(

This is the first time I've seen the young ones. It's a treat! I think
of my mom every time I see a bluebird. :)

Jill