Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) photos by Larry Jordan
It had rained heavily most of the night so I wasn’t surprised to see a soaked Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) this morning. According to my nest box monitoring records, it was seventeen days after hatching and the nestlings should be ready to fledge (click on photos for full sized images).
It was shortly after sunrise (note the sunrise in the eye of the bird in the first image) and I have learned over the years that nestlings are usually urged to fledge in the morning. It gives the adults the most daylight hours to get the youngsters acquainted with the real world out there. So I thought I would try to document the momentous occasion.
It began with the adult birds bringing insects to the nestlings in the nest box. But they weren’t just delivering the food and going out to bring more. They were perching on nearby branches with tasty morsels of all kinds and calling to the little ones in the nest.
They would flutter in front of the entrance to the nest box and show the insect to the chicks and then perch nearby and call to them.
The nestling rarely stuck its head out of the entrance but it was chirping almost continuously.
Here’s a shot of mom stopping to check me out shortly after making a delivery.
Now I know that there were three nestlings in this box (as well as an unhatched egg) because I took a photograph of them when they were seven days old.
But as you will see in the video at the end of this post, this appears to be the last Ash-throated Flycatcher on my Bluebird Trail this year. The other two nestlings must have fledged earlier in the morning or the day before.
I’m glad I caught him or her leaving the nest and I hope to see all of them nearby being fed more grasshoppers by their parents as they learn to catch their own prey.
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Terrific series. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
A great series of photos.
Awesome capture of the Ash-throated Flycatcher. I enjoyed your photos and the post. This would be a lifer for me. Thanks for sharing on WBW!
Wow, it must be great to be able to monitor the nest and see the chick fledge. Thank you for sharing this Larry.
Fantastic photos of this lovely young flycather! /Susanne
How cute is the shot of the chicks huddled together. Flycatchers are a very appealing family of birds, this species is no different.
Dave
Great photos. I really enjoyed seeing the video also!
I am in awe of your wonderful photo shares!!!
Love it, love it, nesting time, always a reason for hope. these are sweet little chaps too~
Interesting and informative post. I enjoyed the photos and video.
Rubbish by Roan
Fantastic pictures of the flycatcher. Thanks for posting them! Video is great too.
How lucky you are to be able to monitor these nest boxes! I truly enjoyed reading this wonderful post filled with a marvelous video and terrific photographs. What a joy it must have been for you to watch this young flycatcher fledge. We have recently had 5 Eastern Phoebes, a brood of House Wrens and one Ruby-throated Hummingbird leave nests/nest boxes, but I was not fortunate to watch their exits. Outstanding post!
Another great post, Larry. At least you saw the last youngster leave the nest. Did you open the nest box to take a photo? I’d love to peak inside our birdhouse once it’s used again.
fantastic shots; sweet birds!
Neat video! Such patient parent! Looking forward to seeing more of the youngster making it outside.
wonderful pics! thanks for stopping by 🙂
@Natalie I check all the nest boxes at least once a week to make sure there is nothing amiss and often take photos of the nestlings up until they are about 12 days old. After that, I don’t open the boxes until they have fledged to prevent premature fledging.
Great and interesting post.
Fantastic shots and video.
Thanks for sharing, Larry.
Mette