Baby Chickadees Photo Journal

Follow the amazing development of seven baby chickadees! If you have a chickadee family in your nestbox, you can use this journal to learn about how your babies are developing, and estimat ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Wed, 05 May 2004 10:41:13 -0700

flyaway
Follow the amazing development of seven baby chickadees! If you have a chickadee family in your nestbox, you can use this journal to learn about how your babies are developing, and estimat ...

Bluebird Box 2 This is the nestbox being used by the Carolina Chickadees this year.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Thu, 22 Apr 2004 14:52:19 -0700

flyaway
Bluebird Box 2 This is the nestbox being used by the Carolina Chickadees this year.

April 16: The nest is nearly complete. Both chickadee parents work to line their nest with a thick layer of soft moss. Then they add a top layer of very soft plant fibers and downy feathers ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 16 Apr 2004 12:05:23 -0700

flyaway
April 16: The nest is nearly complete. Both chickadee parents work to line their nest with a thick layer of soft moss. Then they add a top layer of very soft plant fibers and downy feathers ...

April 21: A view of the completed nest, constructed of a thick cushion of moss and then a fluffy soft layer of plant fibers, down and feathers on top. There are 6 eggs in the nest, shown ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Thu, 22 Apr 2004 14:52:21 -0700

flyaway
April 21: A view of the completed nest, constructed of a thick cushion of moss and then a fluffy soft layer of plant fibers, down and feathers on top. There are 6 eggs in the nest, shown ...

April 21: We found six eggs in the nest today.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 26 Apr 2004 14:01:37 -0700

flyaway
April 21: We found six eggs in the nest today.

April 28: One more egg was laid after our last visit. This is the complete clutch of 7 eggs. Inside each one the white albumen is becoming a baby chickadee, with the yolk providing nourish ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Sun, 02 May 2004 20:23:59 -0700

flyaway
April 28: One more egg was laid after our last visit. This is the complete clutch of 7 eggs. Inside each one the white albumen is becoming a baby chickadee, with the yolk providing nourish ...

May 4, Day 0 - BirthDay: Five chicks have hatched -- some just in the past hour or so. The sixth eggshell is cracked but the chick has not yet emerged. The seventh egg - the last one laid - ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 14:12:52 -0700

flyaway
May 4, Day 0 - BirthDay: Five chicks have hatched -- some just in the past hour or so. The sixth eggshell is cracked but the chick has not yet emerged. The seventh egg - the last one laid - ...

May 5, Day 1: The sixth chick has emerged, and all six are squirming. The hatchlings' skin is still translucent; you can see veins and large muscles through it. Their eyes are still clos ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:55:25 -0700

flyaway
May 5, Day 1: The sixth chick has emerged, and all six are squirming. The hatchlings' skin is still translucent; you can see veins and large muscles through it. Their eyes are still clos ...

May 5, Day 1: For scale, the entire nest is only about five inches wide, and the edges don't even appear in this photo. It's hard to imagine how tiny the day-old hatchlings are. They're en ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Wed, 05 May 2004 10:41:13 -0700

flyaway
May 5, Day 1: For scale, the entire nest is only about five inches wide, and the edges don't even appear in this photo. It's hard to imagine how tiny the day-old hatchlings are. They're en ...

May 6, Day 2: The seventh chick hatched sometime in the last 24 hours, and all seven are squirming. The chick in the middle, gaping straight at the camera, is one of the oldest - it's vis ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Thu, 06 May 2004 12:44:35 -0700

flyaway
May 6, Day 2: The seventh chick hatched sometime in the last 24 hours, and all seven are squirming. The chick in the middle, gaping straight at the camera, is one of the oldest - it's vis ...

May 6, Day 2: For scale. The chicks range from 3/4" to 1" in total length.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Thu, 06 May 2004 12:44:36 -0700

flyaway
May 6, Day 2: For scale. The chicks range from 3/4" to 1" in total length.

May 6, Day 2: Dad sits anxiously on a nearby branch, anxiously watching us check on his babies.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Thu, 06 May 2004 12:44:36 -0700

flyaway
May 6, Day 2: Dad sits anxiously on a nearby branch, anxiously watching us check on his babies.

May 7, Day 3: The chicks are squirming and wriggling, and already realize that our whistle doesn't mean food. Feathers are starting to form on their heads, wings and backs -- instead of ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 07 May 2004 17:41:37 -0700

flyaway
May 7, Day 3: The chicks are squirming and wriggling, and already realize that our whistle doesn't mean food. Feathers are starting to form on their heads, wings and backs -- instead of ...

May 7, Day 3: The chicks are growing fast.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 07 May 2004 17:41:37 -0700

flyaway
May 7, Day 3: The chicks are growing fast.

May 7, Day 3: Dad was angry, and kept dive bombing me while I was photographing the nest.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 07 May 2004 20:14:37 -0700

flyaway
May 7, Day 3: Dad was angry, and kept dive bombing me while I was photographing the nest.

May 8, Day 4: Since yesterday the chicks have developed ear-holes, and have recognizable feather sheaths on their wings.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 10 May 2004 16:22:39 -0700

flyaway
May 8, Day 4: Since yesterday the chicks have developed ear-holes, and have recognizable feather sheaths on their wings.

May 8, Day 4: The chicks are now about an inch long.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 10 May 2004 16:22:41 -0700

flyaway
May 8, Day 4: The chicks are now about an inch long.

May 9, Day 5: Although a whistle no longer works, a kissing sound will still make the nestlings gape -- and one of them is peeping! Tiny white feather sheaths are just starting to form ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:59:21 -0700

flyaway
May 9, Day 5: Although a whistle no longer works, a kissing sound will still make the nestlings gape -- and one of them is peeping! Tiny white feather sheaths are just starting to form ...

May 9, Day 5: One of the chicks stretches its neck waaay out to get its head above the others and thus be the one to get the food.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 10 May 2004 16:22:38 -0700

flyaway
May 9, Day 5: One of the chicks stretches its neck waaay out to get its head above the others and thus be the one to get the food.

May 9, Day 5: Although they're getting bigger, a 5-day-old baby chickadee still looks awfully tiny when held in my hand. It squirmed and tried to flap its wings at first, then simply lay do ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 10 May 2004 16:22:39 -0700

flyaway
May 9, Day 5: Although they're getting bigger, a 5-day-old baby chickadee still looks awfully tiny when held in my hand. It squirmed and tried to flap its wings at first, then simply lay do ...

May 9, Day 5: This picture was reduced to reflect the actual size of my hand. When viewed at its original size of 415x311 pixels, this is just about how big the chick is today.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 10 May 2004 16:22:39 -0700

flyaway
May 9, Day 5: This picture was reduced to reflect the actual size of my hand. When viewed at its original size of 415x311 pixels, this is just about how big the chick is today.

May 10, Day 6: Mama was in the nest and peeked out when she heard us coming.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 10 May 2004 16:22:37 -0700

flyaway
May 10, Day 6: Mama was in the nest and peeked out when she heard us coming.

May 10, Day 6: Several nestlings peeped today. The feather sheaths on their wings are much longer, and some chicks are starting to develop a second row of sheaths. Their bills are getting ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 10 May 2004 16:22:40 -0700

flyaway
May 10, Day 6: Several nestlings peeped today. The feather sheaths on their wings are much longer, and some chicks are starting to develop a second row of sheaths. Their bills are getting ...

May 10, Day 6: At six days old, the chicks are almost twice the size they were when they were born. The slits in their eyelids are getting wider.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 10 May 2004 16:22:38 -0700

flyaway
May 10, Day 6: At six days old, the chicks are almost twice the size they were when they were born. The slits in their eyelids are getting wider.

May 10, Day 6: Dad dive-bombed us repeatedly today. When I tried to put the ruler into the box to take a photo, he flew right into the back of my hand, trying bravely to chase the huge "p ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 10 May 2004 16:22:40 -0700

flyaway
May 10, Day 6: Dad dive-bombed us repeatedly today. When I tried to put the ruler into the box to take a photo, he flew right into the back of my hand, trying bravely to chase the huge "p ...

May 11, Day 7: Most of the nestlings are a week old today, and they're starting to look a bit more like chickadees. They have many more feather sheaths than they did yesterday -- on their ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Wed, 12 May 2004 13:56:31 -0700

flyaway
May 11, Day 7: Most of the nestlings are a week old today, and they're starting to look a bit more like chickadees. They have many more feather sheaths than they did yesterday -- on their ...

May 11, Day 7: When the chicks were newly hatched there was plenty of room in the nest cup, but now it's overflowing.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Wed, 12 May 2004 13:56:32 -0700

flyaway
May 11, Day 7: When the chicks were newly hatched there was plenty of room in the nest cup, but now it's overflowing.

May 11, Day 7: A parent watches anxiously from a nearby branch (extreme right) when Ken looks into the nestbox.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Tue, 11 May 2004 14:27:51 -0700

flyaway
May 11, Day 7: A parent watches anxiously from a nearby branch (extreme right) when Ken looks into the nestbox.

May 12, Day 8: Most of the chicks have three layers of feather sheaths on their wings now, and the older nestlings are starting to sprout them everywhere. The younger chicks still have nake ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Wed, 12 May 2004 13:56:33 -0700

flyaway
May 12, Day 8: Most of the chicks have three layers of feather sheaths on their wings now, and the older nestlings are starting to sprout them everywhere. The younger chicks still have nake ...

May 12, Day 8: The largest chicks' heads are now a half-inch in diameter -- two-thirds the size their entire bodies were when they hatched!

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Wed, 12 May 2004 13:56:34 -0700

flyaway
May 12, Day 8: The largest chicks' heads are now a half-inch in diameter -- two-thirds the size their entire bodies were when they hatched!

May 13, Day 9: All seven nestlings are still healthy and growing, and their feathers are starting to sprout out of the ends of the sheaths.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Thu, 13 May 2004 15:42:34 -0700

flyaway
May 13, Day 9: All seven nestlings are still healthy and growing, and their feathers are starting to sprout out of the ends of the sheaths.

May 13, Day 9: The nestlings are almost twice the size they were just nine days ago. Now that their tailfeathers are starting to grow they will increase in length very rapidly, since bi ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Thu, 13 May 2004 15:42:34 -0700

flyaway
May 13, Day 9: The nestlings are almost twice the size they were just nine days ago. Now that their tailfeathers are starting to grow they will increase in length very rapidly, since bi ...

May 13, Day 9: Their eyes are open! And although they're still pretty wobbly, they're starting to stand on their feet.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Thu, 13 May 2004 15:42:35 -0700

flyaway
May 13, Day 9: Their eyes are open! And although they're still pretty wobbly, they're starting to stand on their feet.

May 13, Day 9: Here you can clearly see the ends of the feathers emerging from the sheaths, and the typical Carolina Chickadee color pattern.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Thu, 13 May 2004 15:42:35 -0700

flyaway
May 13, Day 9: Here you can clearly see the ends of the feathers emerging from the sheaths, and the typical Carolina Chickadee color pattern.

May 13, Day 9: Their tailfeathers are growing in, and they're finally beginning to look a little fuzzy. Only a small strip down either side of the chicks' backs are still naked.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Thu, 13 May 2004 15:42:35 -0700

flyaway
May 13, Day 9: Their tailfeathers are growing in, and they're finally beginning to look a little fuzzy. Only a small strip down either side of the chicks' backs are still naked.

May 14, Day 10: The chicks are really overflowing the nest cup now. You can see the difference in their ages -- the feathers of the chicks at the bottom of the picture are almost complete ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 14 May 2004 20:10:18 -0700

flyaway
May 14, Day 10: The chicks are really overflowing the nest cup now. You can see the difference in their ages -- the feathers of the chicks at the bottom of the picture are almost complete ...

May 14, Day 10: Even the youngest chicks are more than 2 inches long!

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 14 May 2004 20:10:23 -0700

flyaway
May 14, Day 10: Even the youngest chicks are more than 2 inches long!

May 14, Day 10: Even though they've more than doubled their size since hatching, the babies are still so very small.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 14 May 2004 20:10:24 -0700

flyaway
May 14, Day 10: Even though they've more than doubled their size since hatching, the babies are still so very small.

May 14, Day 10: Their legs and feet are the size of adult birds, which makes them very gangly and awkward. But they can stand up now. And they've grown into their eyes!

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 14 May 2004 20:10:25 -0700

flyaway
May 14, Day 10: Their legs and feet are the size of adult birds, which makes them very gangly and awkward. But they can stand up now. And they've grown into their eyes!

May 14, Day 10: The feather sheaths give the chick the look of dreadlocks!

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 14 May 2004 20:10:26 -0700

flyaway
May 14, Day 10: The feather sheaths give the chick the look of dreadlocks!

May 14, Day 10: When the chick spreads its wing, you can see the layers of feathers. The longest ones, near the outside of the wing, are the primary flight feathers.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 14 May 2004 20:10:26 -0700

flyaway
May 14, Day 10: When the chick spreads its wing, you can see the layers of feathers. The longest ones, near the outside of the wing, are the primary flight feathers.

May 15, Day 11: Apparently the chicks know to arrange themselves so their tails face the center in order to fit into the nest as well as possible -- even so, it's much too small now!

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Sat, 15 May 2004 18:44:38 -0700

flyaway
May 15, Day 11: Apparently the chicks know to arrange themselves so their tails face the center in order to fit into the nest as well as possible -- even so, it's much too small now!

May 15, Day 11: This picture didn't come out too well, but it's the best we have. This chick is now nearly 3 inches long -- it has quadrupled its size since it hatched just a week and a ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Sat, 15 May 2004 18:44:39 -0700

flyaway
May 15, Day 11: This picture didn't come out too well, but it's the best we have. This chick is now nearly 3 inches long -- it has quadrupled its size since it hatched just a week and a ...

May 15, Day 11: This nestling is now at the funny fuzzy stage, with its feathers long enough to almost cover the sheath of the layer below, but not long enough to lie flat yet.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Sat, 15 May 2004 18:44:40 -0700

flyaway
May 15, Day 11: This nestling is now at the funny fuzzy stage, with its feathers long enough to almost cover the sheath of the layer below, but not long enough to lie flat yet.

May 15, Day 11: Did I say fuzzy?

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Sat, 15 May 2004 18:44:40 -0700

flyaway
May 15, Day 11: Did I say fuzzy?

May 15, Day 11: The top of the mandible (beak) is fully dark by now. The sides of the jaws will retain the original off-white color.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Sat, 15 May 2004 18:44:41 -0700

flyaway
May 15, Day 11: The top of the mandible (beak) is fully dark by now. The sides of the jaws will retain the original off-white color.

May 16, Day 12: The nestlings are so big I can't even get them all in one picture any more. (The nestbox roof only opens to about 80 degrees, so i can't get the camera any higher.)

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 17 May 2004 17:57:56 -0700

flyaway
May 16, Day 12: The nestlings are so big I can't even get them all in one picture any more. (The nestbox roof only opens to about 80 degrees, so i can't get the camera any higher.)

May 16, Day 12: Even scrunched up as small as it can get itself, this nestling is more than 2½ inches long -- relaxed, it would be closer to 3 inches. Its body is really full-sized -- it ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 17 May 2004 17:57:57 -0700

flyaway
May 16, Day 12: Even scrunched up as small as it can get itself, this nestling is more than 2½ inches long -- relaxed, it would be closer to 3 inches. Its body is really full-sized -- it ...

May 17, Day 13: Seven little chickadees, all in a row. The chicks have obviously been moving around in the nestbox on their own. Some of the gawky adolescents don't even fit into the nes ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 17 May 2004 17:57:57 -0700

flyaway
May 17, Day 13: Seven little chickadees, all in a row. The chicks have obviously been moving around in the nestbox on their own. Some of the gawky adolescents don't even fit into the nes ...

May 17, Day 13: They look like real chickadees now! This is the last day we can risk taking a chick out of the nestbox. The oldest will be fledging soon, and if we get them too upset they ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 17 May 2004 17:57:58 -0700

flyaway
May 17, Day 13: They look like real chickadees now! This is the last day we can risk taking a chick out of the nestbox. The oldest will be fledging soon, and if we get them too upset they ...

May 17, Day 13: This chick looks almost like an adult Carolina Chickadee, but it's still a bit fuzzy around the edges.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 17 May 2004 17:57:58 -0700

flyaway
May 17, Day 13: This chick looks almost like an adult Carolina Chickadee, but it's still a bit fuzzy around the edges.

May 17, Day 13: The chicks are gaining strength, so that as soon as their feathers are fully developed they'll be ready to fly.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 17 May 2004 17:57:59 -0700

flyaway
May 17, Day 13: The chicks are gaining strength, so that as soon as their feathers are fully developed they'll be ready to fly.

May 17, Day 13: This chick's flight feathers are fully grown. In a few days there will be several chicks bumbling around in the trees near the nestbox as they work on learning to take off, ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 19:05:32 -0800

flyaway
May 17, Day 13: This chick's flight feathers are fully grown. In a few days there will be several chicks bumbling around in the trees near the nestbox as they work on learning to take off, ...

May 17, Day 13: After a few moments of flapping, the nestling settles down in my hand. Its tail is growing in fast, and then it will be ready to go.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Mon, 17 May 2004 17:57:59 -0700

flyaway
May 17, Day 13: After a few moments of flapping, the nestling settles down in my hand. Its tail is growing in fast, and then it will be ready to go.

May 18, Day 14: The chicks are two weeks old today! The oldest ones will be ready to fledge almost any day now.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Wed, 19 May 2004 17:45:09 -0700

flyaway
May 18, Day 14: The chicks are two weeks old today! The oldest ones will be ready to fledge almost any day now.

May 18, Day 14: Dad perches on a nearby branch preparing for another dive-bombing run. He does them repeatedly the entire time we're near the box -- it's not easy to take pictures when an a ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Wed, 19 May 2004 17:45:11 -0700

flyaway
May 18, Day 14: Dad perches on a nearby branch preparing for another dive-bombing run. He does them repeatedly the entire time we're near the box -- it's not easy to take pictures when an a ...

May 19, Day 15 The chicks hop around the box now, but huddle together as we approach. They're completely motionless when we open the box, but their eyes are bright with curiosity.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Wed, 19 May 2004 17:45:12 -0700

flyaway
May 19, Day 15 The chicks hop around the box now, but huddle together as we approach. They're completely motionless when we open the box, but their eyes are bright with curiosity.

May 19, Day 15 This is the youngest chick -- its tail is shorter than the others, giving it a length of only 2 7/8 inches. Most of them are more than 3 inches long by now.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Wed, 19 May 2004 17:45:13 -0700

flyaway
May 19, Day 15 This is the youngest chick -- its tail is shorter than the others, giving it a length of only 2 7/8 inches. Most of them are more than 3 inches long by now.

May 20, Day 16 The bright-eyed nestlings huddle silently while we are there. They are still a bit fuzzy, but look like real birds now. They'll be fledging very soon now.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 21 May 2004 19:27:20 -0700

flyaway
May 20, Day 16 The bright-eyed nestlings huddle silently while we are there. They are still a bit fuzzy, but look like real birds now. They'll be fledging very soon now.

May 20, Day 16 The chicks are about 3¼ inches long now. Their bodies are full-sized, and their tails just need to grow a bit more for them to be full-length chickadees.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 21 May 2004 19:27:21 -0700

flyaway
May 20, Day 16 The chicks are about 3¼ inches long now. Their bodies are full-sized, and their tails just need to grow a bit more for them to be full-length chickadees.

May 20, Day 16 As I took a few pictures from the side, two of the chicks gradually raised their heads and turned to peer at me curiously.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 21 May 2004 19:27:22 -0700

flyaway
May 20, Day 16 As I took a few pictures from the side, two of the chicks gradually raised their heads and turned to peer at me curiously.

May 20, Day 16 Dad continues his dive-bombing. We take our photos as quickly as we can and leave.

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 21 May 2004 19:27:23 -0700

flyaway
May 20, Day 16 Dad continues his dive-bombing. We take our photos as quickly as we can and leave.

May 21, Day 17: FLEDGING DAY We heard peeping from a nearby tree as we approached, and when we got to the nest we found it empty. There are no signs of predation, so it appears that all se ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Fri, 21 May 2004 19:27:23 -0700

flyaway
May 21, Day 17: FLEDGING DAY We heard peeping from a nearby tree as we approached, and when we got to the nest we found it empty. There are no signs of predation, so it appears that all se ...

May 22, Day 18 Chickadees have only one brood a year, but a few other cavity nesters -- including bluebirds -- have several, so with the fledglings gone, we cleaned out the used nesting mate ...

nobody@smugmug.com (flyaway) — Tue, 01 Jun 2004 05:33:54 -0700

flyaway
May 22, Day 18 Chickadees have only one brood a year, but a few other cavity nesters -- including bluebirds -- have several, so with the fledglings gone, we cleaned out the used nesting mate ...