Chat Back for September 4

Answering questions from comments and email.

Judy S. asked . . .

I wonder where the third bird went? Do the parents tend to such things?

And Lynn asked . . .

So what happens to the birds that don't make it? Do the parents get them out of the nest?

And Jean asked . . .

Did the parent birds remove the little ones who did not survive?

Yes, the parents take the dead chicks far away from the nest and leave them.

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Judy S. asked . . .

How long before they fledge?

The chicks are in the nest 17-18 days before fledging.

When they fledge they're strong enough to move themselves with their wings, but not able to flutter more than a few feet at a time. The parents help them out of the nest and herd them into woods. There they finish maturing and learn to find their own food.

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Snowbird commented on this post . . .

I love butterflies and I hope you can post some pictures of the Monarchs.

This is the only clear Monarch picture I've been able to get so far. Butterflies are even worse than birds about staying in one place long enough for me to get a good focus.

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Judy S. commented on this post . . .

Your pool sounds wonderful; ours is often freezing for water aerobics, and it's hard to go.

My Aqua Arthritis pool is in a large sports medicine and orthopedic surgery rehab building. It's so warm I doubt it would be good for aerobics, lap swimming, or any activity that raises the body temperature.

I used to swim laps at Western Michigan University's pool and it was much colder. Getting in was a shock, but the cooler water was just right once the lap swimming was underway.