How long to fledge?

alisonclair · #1 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 06:54 PM

Hello

How long does it take for baby blackbirds to fledge? We have a pair of adults that have been feeding now for 2.5 weeks at least. Should it be any day now? If so, I may have to call in sick at work.....

Jenny W · #2 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 07:32 PM

Blackbirds will fledge in 14-16 days, so yours should be out any time now. The parents will continue to feed them for a while after fledging.

alisonclair · #3 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 07:33 PM

Thank you.

I've got a terrible headache, sore throat, aching ankle all of a sudden. Think I might need a few days off work.

Bunnyrabbit · #4 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 07:33 PM

I also thought the same, but you beat me to it.....

Bunnyrabbit · #5 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 07:35 PM

I meant the time it takes to fledge....

Enjoy time off.........

Elizabeth B · #6 (**permalink**) 24-04-2009, 06:29 AM

My Collins Field Guide, bird nests,eggs and nestlings gives quite a wide range for fledging - it says 12-19 days, and then the parents feed the chicks for about 3 weeks after they leave the nest.

Blackdogjnr · #7 (**permalink**) 24-04-2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elizabeth B

My Collins Field Guide, bird nests,eggs and nestlings gives quite a wide range for fledging - it says 12-19 days, and then the parents feed the chicks for about 3 weeks after they leave the nest.

I just did a quick search for that book, sounds like something I'd be ineterested in.
Looks like it is quite hard to get hold of and extortionately priced!

Elizabeth B · #8 (**permalink**) 24-04-2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackdogjnr

I just did a quick search for that book, sounds like something I'd be ineterested in.
Looks like it is quite hard to get hold of and extortionately priced!

It was highly recommended by a very knowledgeable friend several years ago, so I swallowed hard and bought a copy (£19.99)! Insult was added to injury - when I got home, I found an erratum slip inside it. The references in the text to the Plate number where you can see photos of the eggs are incorrect. Therefore if you've read up about a blackbird, you have to go to the index at the back to find the page showing the eggs. If I'd realised before I bought it, I'd certainly have tried some bargaining.

Still, at this time of year I'm constantly consulting it - it's in front of me right now, and rarely goes back on its shelf.

Blackdogjnr · #9 (**permalink**) 24-04-2009, 10:57 AM

Crumbs!
Thank goodness I didn't shell out £135 (yes, check amazon!!!) for it if the pictures are all wrong!
Ah well, I suppose there is always google if its an individual thing I want to check out.

Elizabeth B · #10 (**permalink**) 24-04-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackdogjnr

Crumbs!
Thank goodness I didn't shell out £135 (yes, check amazon!!!) for it if the pictures are all wrong!
Ah well, I suppose there is always google if its an individual thing I want to check out.

£135!!!!! - and I thought I was being a bit extravagant!

The pictures aren't all wrong, but you can't go directly to the photos of the eggs after reading about the bird's habits - you have to go to the index at the back of the book, to find the appropriate page.