Good News About Tail Feathers

Diane E · #1 (**permalink**) 26-06-2006, 09:24 PM

Hi everyone. I just wanted to update you on my resident male blackbird, Bob. About a month ago he turned up in my garden with only 1 tail feather left. I was a bit worried about him (well, actually I was a lot worried about him) because I didn't know if he would be ok or if his feathers would grow back. No-one I asked seemed to be sure.

Well, now I know. He is definately in the process of growing some more. (From what I can tell, do they have 4 in all? I think he's growing another 3). And they are coming on beautifully. They are about 3/4 as long as his old one now. Good news, yes?

I'm pretty sure that Bob and his partner are not nesting in my garden but I think it must be close by. Does anybody know what is the likiehood of my seeing any of his fledglings? Did I read somewhere that as soon as blackbirds are independent they leave the home territory?

Alan · #2 (**permalink**) 26-06-2006, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diane E

Hi everyone. I just wanted to update you on my resident male blackbird, Bob. About a month ago he turned up in my garden with only 1 tail feather left. I was a bit worried about him (well, actually I was a lot worried about him) because I didn't know if he would be ok or if his feathers would grow back. No-one I asked seemed to be sure.

Well, now I know. He is definately in the process of growing some more. (From what I can tell, do they have 4 in all? I think he's growing another 3). And they are coming on beautifully. They are about 3/4 as long as his old one now. Good news, yes?

I'm pretty sure that Bob and his partner are not nesting in my garden but I think it must be close by. Does anybody know what is the likiehood of my seeing any of his fledglings? Did I read somewhere that as soon as blackbirds are independent they leave the home territory?

Hi Diane, if you supply them with plenty of food, they'll bring the fledglings into your garden, but they'll often be spread about

Alan

Tornado · #3 (**permalink**) 27-06-2006, 03:43 PM

Hi Diane,
If you want to entice the young into your garden try feeding sultanas it works for us. We have had at least five baby Blackbirds so far this season,and there's more to come as the adults are still taking food away to their nearby nest.
Good luck on the "baby bird" front!
Tornado

Diane E · #4 (**permalink**) 27-06-2006, 10:25 PM

Thanks for that. Tornado, where do you put the sultanas that the baby blackbirds eat? Is it under cover of a hedge/bush or more out in the open? On the ground or on a table? I'd love to see a baby blackbird....(sigh).

eeyore · #5 (**permalink**) 27-06-2006, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diane E

Thanks for that. Tornado, where do you put the sultanas that the baby blackbirds eat? Is it under cover of a hedge/bush or more out in the open? On the ground or on a table? I'd love to see a baby blackbird....(sigh).

If you're feeding sultanas or any other dried fruit its a good move to soak it first otherwise it tend to swell up in their stomachs.