Identifying the Fledgling Stage of a Baby Bird

Sunday, August 13, 2017
If  you see a bird on the ground, in a bush/tree, or near a feeder that has some fluffy, downy feathers, wrinkly appearance around the edges of it's mouth, continually fluttering wings, or constant chirping (or perhaps all of the above), you most likely have found yourself a "Fledgling."
Fledgling American Robin with short tail feathers, muted speckled plumage, and wrinkly gape.
A "fledgling" generally refers to the stage a baby bird is at when it has left the nest, but is not yet ready to go solo.  These little ones are still not quite ready to feed on their own and will rely on mom and dad to keep them safe and bring them food until they can figure it out themselves.
Baby Robin eating mealworms
Fledgling American Robin being feed by Daddy Robin.


Many fledglings have plumage that is muted, similar to the parent (usually the female), or a speckled look that helps to provide the necessary camouflage to keep young ones safe while they learn to forage for food, and practice the art of flying.

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Adult Female Northern Cardinal.
Young Female Northern Cardinal looks very similar to mom (pictured above).  Notice the beak is dark on the young bird, and bright red on the adult.  On the other hand, feet are bright on the baby bird, and darker on the adult.
At this stage flight feathers may not have developed enough to allow young birds to fly farther than from one branch to another.  However, this will change rapidly.  Now out of the nest, the baby birds have more room to stretch, strengthen muscles, and feathers to grow to their full size.  After all, it does get a little cramped in a nest with siblings.

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Fledgling Common Grackle

Tail feathers are one of the last feathers to grow to their full length, so use the tail length as one of the gauges in determining how old a bird may be.

You may notice behaviours rather than physical differences that will help you to identify a bird as a fledgling or adult.  Fluttering of the wings, hopping around, constant calling, are all signs that could indicate that you have found a baby bird.  Not to worry.  Mom and Dad will not be far away.  They are watching from a distance.  Young birds need the opportunity to practice life skills before they leave the family unit.  Adults will bring the fledgling food as it is needed, and offer distractions if predators are close by, all the while giving the young bird the chance to forage for food and practice flying.



Hope this helps you identify what's what, and who's who in your backyard.

If you have any questions or comments about these young birds, please feel free to comment below and I will get back to you.

Enjoy the birds.  ~ Leanne




7 comments:

  1. there is one fledging in my back yard with three feathers sticking out under about 45-60° to his wing. He must have hit his wing on a fence. It's been 3 days like that.
    But they didn't fell out.
    When he would get a new ones?

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    1. Birds typically replace feathers when they molt. The time of molting depends on the species of bird and age. It's possible this little one may molt them out or may be able to stick it out until he does. Kristen

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  2. Thank you so much for this. I have a fledgling house finch who's been frequenting my balcony bird feeder but is constantly fluttering his wings and constantly chirping and I was concerned that he had something mentally wrong as it appeared like Tourette's Syndrome. Thank you so much for explaining this so clearly, my mind is now at ease.

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    1. Glad that this article helped to provide some insight. Thanks for reading!

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  3. I have what I believe is a Robin fledgling in my fenced back yard. He's been there for a week now and makes his way from one side of the yard to the other. The parents are nearby during the day, but he seems to be alone in the evenings. I'm unable to let my dogs out, since one of them attempted to pick him up (that's how I first spotted him), and we've put off mowing and treating our backyard for mosquitos etc. What I'm trying to say is that I'm doing all I can to keep him safe, but truly hoping he leaves by Saturday (it's Monday), as I have a surprise birthday BBQ for my daughter's 30th. I've read conflicting answers as to how long it typically takes before they are able to fly. 😥

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    1. Usually when they leave or fledge the nest they are able to fly enough to jump up on branches or make short distance movements. If you think the bird is acting unusually you can call your local wildlife rehabber and seek advice. However it is normal for bird parents to look after their young after they fledge from the nest. In the case of robins the young ones kind of wander around close to where they nest was and the parents feed them on the ground in shrubs etc. Kristen

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    2. Thank you for your reply. I first saw the little one on the lawn last Tuesday, so it has been a week. He has all his feathers, and can be seen hopping around across the entire lawn. The parents are for sure nearby, and he doesn't seem to be in distress. I just imagined that he would have been able to fly away by now.I believe the nest is in one of the small arborvitaes on my property, as the tall (HUGE) trees are all outside of the fence.

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