Fledgling Yellow-headed Blackbird, Begging For And Then Receiving Food

I’ve been stuck in the house for what seems like an eternity because of the gloomy weather and lack of light.  It rained all day yesterday (which is unusual for us here in the semi-desert) and I keep thinking of all the early summer bird activity I’m missing so this morning I reached back into the archives for some shots that would remind me of what I’m not seeing and photographing.  I’m a glutton for punishment…

The nest of Yellow-headed Blackbirds is always constructed over water and fixed to dead or live vegetation.  Young birds leave the nest early, as soon as 7 days after hatching but usually from 9-12 days, so they’re not yet capable of flight.  They perch on the rim of the nest and explore surrounding vegetation and they’re extremely vocal (annoyingly and incessantly so – here’s a link to their sound when doing so) when demanding food from their parents.

 

yellow-headed blackbird 2902 ron dudley

 1/400, f/11, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

This near-fledgling at Farmington Bay was doing just that – begging loudly for food whenever its mother came into view.  For a change I found one of these young birds out in the open – they can usually be heard but not seen.

 

 

yellow-headed blackbird 2914 ron dudley

 1/400, f/11, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

Its mother flew in and deposited a morsel in the young birds mouth and then quickly vacated the premises.  I don’t blame her…

Both of these shots are full-frame and I was surprised that I was able to get them as sharp as I did at only 1/400 second but I had to try because being so close I really needed some depth of field (thus f/11).

Ron

15 Comments

  1. Wonderful behavior shots! Most of our Red-winged Blackbirds hide deep in the reeds when feeding the kids to avoid my camera lens!

  2. With a facial expression like the one on the baby’s face, I also don’t blame the mother for leaving quickly! 🙂

  3. Jane Chesebrough

    So cute-saw a few fledglings this past week but this is a first for this one.Thanks for sharing this, Ron. Who knows, by now you are probably outdoors shooting again.

  4. Archive diving which brought up treasure. Thank you – and I hope the weather improves and allows you to add to your hoard.

    Those incessant, piercing demands for attention cross species well don’t they?

  5. Great catch with this Ron. 😎

  6. That was supposed to read “never ending FEEDINGS” but, of course, the evil iPad “corrected” it to something “better” ….Once again I’m spitting nails!!!!!

  7. Ron-You think “enthusiasm”. I think “demanding” and “insatiable”…

  8. What fun shots. I’ve raised baby birds and know how ANNOYING they can be about the begging.

    • They sure can be, Arwen. It’s cute for a while but eventually it gets on your nerves. The worst I’ve seen (and heard) is young Western Grebes

  9. I love these images! Almost as good as being there. Definitrly. defying gravity in the second shot. First shot is wonderful, brings back memories of what seemed like never-ending feedings of the many birds I’ve raised.

  10. Glad you were stuck inside–for me. These shots are wonderful, esp mom shoving the food in the chicks mouth to shut it up Ok anthropomorphizing…..

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