Nestlings, June 30

The Eastern Phoebe nest above our kitchen window contains several young 'uns hatched more than a week ago, family size uncertain. First we heard tiny peeps through our open window. Then, when a parent flew in for feedings, Frances dashed from kitchen to porch to peer at the nest. Finally some tiny heads surfaced!

Initially several baby heads were mostly visible over the edge of the nest though eyes were closed and bodies asleep. Since I could see only heads with a fluff of down protruding from the crowns I wondered, is this where the phrase "sleepyhead" originated?

Now as bodies expand and grow feathers, nest size shrinks. More body parts emerge into view. Frances just took a picture that indicates at least three siblings share these living quarters.

This is our third year of conscientious Eastern Phoebe co-parenting. Initially a pair constructed their nest of mud, grass, and moss above the narrow strip of window frame under the front eaves of our house. We marveled at their derringdo, balancing nest and young atop such a fragile foundation. Last year we grew tired of the mud and dirt slopped across our just-washed windows during nest reconstruction. Frances added a small wooden shelf beneath their nesting site which she attached to a piece of wood that spanned the window. It provided the Phoebes with nest space AND a deck.

This year, nest construction went so smoothly that we were minimally aware of parental comings and goings. According to our bird guides, fledgling stage lasts a mere 15-16 days so these babes will vacate their nest long before we're ready to see them go. Last year they launched their first flight on a day drenched with unending downpours. We worried whether these novice pilots could survive such a storm after vacating their safe, dry home. It's our best guess that they did since they're back again this year.

The Eastern Phoebe is one of the most identifiable bird species I've met here. Their characteristic repetitious song "phoe-be" is a favorite refrain. A species of flycatcher, they perch on an exposed tree branch right beside our porch from which they sail forth on their short insect hunting expeditions. To me, their most distinctive and endearing feature is the tail bobbing they engage in while at rest.

What a gift we have in these wee gray-green birds who bring daily enjoyment to our life in the forest. We couldn't ask for a better tenant to share space under our roof.