Babies Are One Week Old Today
By CarolDM
@CarolDM (203451)
Nashville, Tennessee
June 9, 2023 11:43am CST
Bluebird babies are celebrating one week of being alive. They all four seem to be doing well in my backyard bluebird house. It is behind the roses in Dustin's garden.
I have been monitoring twice daily since they were born. The Mom & Dad are both feeding several times a day. I keep fresh water for them in the bird bath as well.
The one baby in the front of the photo still has a few more feathers coming soon. They all have their first layer of feathers. On day eleven, they should all have their wing feathers. This one looks like the smallest of the four. I think he/she will be just fine. I have to be careful as you can see they are right there at the opening of the box.
Wanted to update you, as many have asked how they are doing. Every single day there is a difference when I take a peek. They will fledge around day 17, about another ten days or so to enjoy them. Their eyes opened yesterday but they close them when I open the box, a survival tactic.
There are other nests in the yard I will share with you later. So much going on right now. I am enjoying every minute. In a couple of weeks, they will all be gone.
Time goes by much too quickly with these babies. But that is all part of the process. I just want them all to be safe. Sharing more of the little things I am enjoying in life. Hope you are all doing well.
42 people like this
38 responses
@kaylachan (58129)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Jun
I am happy to hear they seem to be happy and healthy so far.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (48526)
• Canada
9 Jun
@CarolDM Yes, the young babes are getting separated from their mothers. People are picking them up and that isn't helping them.
I do not think that this time will ever be forgotten.
There was a really cool tweet showing some firefighters from South Africa doing a dance when they arrived at the airport. Just what our breaking hearts needed to see, it offered emotional support which when your country is burning up and you are nearing the country's birthday, is sad.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 Jun
Thank you so much. They are tiny miracles. And no matter how many times I experience this process, it never gets old. The one in the front, not fully feathered is probably the smallest. I am keeping an eye on him/her to make sure he progresses as he/she should. I am telling you that every single day I look at them, there is a change. A hawk just flew through the yard and my heart went to the floor. It scared me so bad. That is a big predator for all the birds. They all seem safe now.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130077)
• India
9 Jun
@CarolDM Don't worry. You have seen so many grow to maturity and fly away These will too
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
9 Jun
@allknowing Thank you for the encouragement.
2 people like this
@spiderdust (14741)
• San Jose, California
10 Jun
@CarolDM Thank you! I haven't sat at my computer for about a week, but I needed to look over the weekly produce order and realized I had MyLot open in a tab. 
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
10 Jun
@spiderdust I understand. I take more breaks here too. It helps.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157652)
• United States
10 Jun
What a fun backyard you have and upclose views of nature.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
10 Jun
How long is their life span?
It's good that you can enjoy them while you still can.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
10 Jun
They live on average 6-10 years. I hope they will return next yer and raise their own families. Since they all look alike, I have no way of knowing. But I hope that is what happens. They know the bluebird house will be here and it is safe.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
11 Jun
@CarolDM That is a long time. And it's good to know that.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
16 Jun
@toniganzon I hope the same bluebirds return to my yard each year. No was to know but I enjoy just the same.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118546)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Jun
Wow, they are growing fast! Thanks for the update. I'm really cheering them on and hope all four make it to adulthood.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118546)
• Gainesville, Florida
17 Jun
@CarolDM Once they start venturing out in the next few days, do they still come back to the nest to sleep at night, or once they leave do they leave for good?
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
17 Jun
@moffittjc They do not return to the nest. Once they leave, they are gone for good. And the worry starts for me. Very dangerous time for them, but the parents will feed and protect them as much as possible.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74724)
• East Tawas, Michigan
11 Jun
And next summer, these same babies will be flying back here, to take care of THEIR babies! lol
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74724)
• East Tawas, Michigan
16 Jun
@CarolDM So the adult birds you are watching this spring. These were two of the babies from last year! lol
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@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
16 Jun
@kobesbuddy That is what I hope for, no way to prove it but I think I am correct.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157044)
• United States
10 Jun
So tiny and fragile! They are so cute. Thanks so much for sharing this miracle with us. Have a good weekend.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157044)
• United States
11 Jun
@CarolDM Thank you very much. They are safe and secure in your bird box.
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@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
16 Jun
@LindaOHio I hope so, they seem fine and ready to fledge in a few days.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28950)
•
9 Jun
I am enjoying following the babies and their progress and photos. Thank you so much for sharing them with us, Carol. A bit of sweetness and normalcy in our crazy world is much appreciated.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
10 Jun
@MarieCoyle Thank you, they are my life right now. And they will be gone soon enough for another year.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28950)
•
10 Jun
@CarolDM
Keep on enjoying and sharing, I truly do like these posts. 
1 person likes this
Of course, the entire process (life evolving) is beautiful@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
10 Jun
Your opinion. I see the entire process of these babies. I put the house up. I watch them for days build a nest. Then they lay one egg at a time. Then they incubate the eggs. Then the eggs hatch. Then they fly away. All the time they are chasing away predators. Nothing ugly to me.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34405)
•
23 Jun
Nice that you have a little time to enjoy the birds before they "fly the coop." 
The wonderment of nature!
The wonderment of nature!1 person likes this
