Quick Answer
Thrush babies typically stay in the nest for 10-18 days before fledging and leaving the nest. The exact length of time can vary based on factors like the species of thrush, food availability, number of babies in the nest, and weather conditions. But in general, thrush nestlings are ready to fledge within 2-3 weeks of hatching.
How Long Do Thrush Eggs Take to Hatch?
After the female thrush lays eggs in the nest, it takes about 10-14 days for the eggs to hatch. The incubation period tends to be shorter for smaller thrush species like bluebirds and longer for larger thrush species like robins. Here are some approximate incubation times for common thrush species:
– American Robin: 12-14 days
– Wood Thrush: 12-15 days
– Veery: 12-13 days
– Hermit Thrush: 12-14 days
– Eastern Bluebird: 11-19 days
– Mountain Bluebird: 13-16 days
– Western Bluebird: 12-14 days
The female parent sits on the eggs most of the time to keep them warm during incubation. The male may occasionally take over nest duties to give the female a break. But the female does the majority of incubating the eggs before they hatch.
Newly Hatched Thrush Nestlings
Once the eggs hatch after 2-3 weeks, blind and featherless baby thrushes emerge. They are completely dependent on their parents for warmth, protection, and food. Here is what to expect in the first few days after hatching:
– Eyes are sealed shut, open after a few days
– Bodies are naked, no feathers yet
– Movement is limited, nestlings can lift their heads but not walk/hop yet
– Body is uncoordinated, shaky when trying to move
– Parents take turns brooding nestlings to keep them warm
– Parents bring food frequently, nestlings eat every 30-45 minutes
Thrush nestlings are essentially little eating and pooping machines at this stage. They stay hunkered down in the nest and use their energy focusing on growth and feather development.
Feather Growth in Young Thrushes
Around 5-7 days after hatching, pin feathers start emerging from the skin of nestling thrushes. True feathers develop and grow rapidly over the next week. Full feathering allows the nestlings to regulate their own body temperature. Here is the usual feather growth timeline:
– 5-7 days: pin feathers emerge
– 7-9 days: feather sheaths rupture, feathers unfold
– 10-12 days: body fully feathered except for some down
– 13-15 days: wing feathers needed for flight grow in
As feathers grow in, parents start leaving nestlings alone for longer periods. The nestlings’ ability to thermoregulate allows parents to spend more time searching for food. Nestlings also get more vocal and start moving around in the nest in preparation for fledging.
Thrush Nestlings Ready to Fledge
Thrush babies typically leave the nest anywhere from 10-18 days after hatching. Here are signs thrush nestlings are getting ready to take their first flight:
– Feathers fully developed
– Able to hop, move, and stretch wings
– Adults actively encourage flying by withholding food
– Beg loudly from nest when adults are near
– May venture out onto edge of nest
– Will take short flights from nest to nearby branches
The parents tempt the fledglings out of the nest by landing on nearby branches and calling to them. The young thrushes become increasingly brave, perching on the edge of the nest before taking the leap. Initial flights from the nest are often clumsy but improve quickly.
Post-Fledging Parental Care
Even after leaving the nest, fledgling thrushes still depend on their parents for 2-4 weeks. The parents continue bringing food and protect the fledglings until they become independent. Post-fledging care involves:
– Following the fledglings and calling to them
– Feeding the thrushes on the ground or low branches
– Leading them to good foraging spots
– Defending them from predators and other dangers
– Keeping fledglings warm at night for the first few days
This parental care ensures the thrush fledglings learn to find food, avoid predators, and become self-sufficient. Within a few weeks, the young thrushes are ready to thrive and survive on their own.
Factors Affecting Thrush Nestling Timelines
While the typical thrush nestling period is 10-18 days, the exact timeframe can vary. Here are some factors that can shorten or extend time spent in the nest:
– Species – Smaller thrush species tend to leave the nest earlier. Larger thrushes have longer nestling periods.
– Weather – Cold temperatures or excessive rain can slow development and delay fledging.
– Food supply – Limited food supplies may force earlier fledging.
– Nest predators – Predators like snakes, cats, etc. may spur early fledging.
– Brood size – Larger broods may fledge earlier if nest is crowded.
– Nest location – More concealed nests may extend time in nest. Exposed nests could shorten period.
– Health/injury – Ill or injured nestlings may fledge later.
– Human interference – Noise, handling nest can prematurely force fledging.
– Birth order – Last hatched nestlings often fledge 1-2 days after older siblings.
So while 10-18 days is typical, an individual thrush’s situation can lead to variations in exactly how long it remains in the nest after hatching.
Typical Timeline Summary
To summarize the standard nesting timeline for most thrush species:
– Egg laying: 3-7 days
– Incubation: 10-14 days
– Nestling period: 10-18 days
– Post-fledging parental care: 14-28 days
So the complete period from egg-laying to independence is approximately 7-9 weeks, with 2-3 weeks spent in the nest itself.
Conclusion
Thrushes have a relatively short nesting period compared to many other birds. Their nestlings grow and develop rapidly, able to take their first flights within 2-3 weeks on average. However, thrush parents continue caring for their fledglings for several weeks after leaving the nest. Proper parental care ensures the young thrushes are ready to survive and thrive on their own in the wild.