More Robins

Two weeks ago a second family of robins decided to nest on one of the house ledges. This time the eager family chose the east side of the house and within three days the parent(s) had built a brand new nest.

The last nest was built this Spring on the west side of the house unnoticed by us and we watched the  eggs add up, hatch, the chicks grow and cautiously spread their wings. Out of four eggs, on Easter Sunday  two hatched and after 15 days two beautiful robins found the courage to try their flying skills.

This time the nest is visible from the den but harder to monitor requiring a long ladder and some acrobatic moves to document the progression of the process. Well you guessed it, I could not wait any longer and had to see how many eggs were in the new nest.

 For those interested Stan Tekiela's Birds of Texas Field Guide states that " both male and female build the nest and have 2- 3 broods per year. They have 4-7 pale blue eggs without markings. The female incubates the eggs for 12-14 days. Fledging lasts 14 to 16 days during which both male and female feed the young. "

 " The males have a dark, nearly black head with a brick red breast. The female has a gray head, a dull red speckled breast and a brown back. "