The length of time a baby bird spends in the nest before fledging varies widely depending on the species. Some species only spend a couple of weeks in the nest before fledging, while others can spend up to two months in the nest before taking their first flight.
How Long Do Songbirds Stay in the Nest?
Many common backyard songbirds, such as chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, and wrens, typically fledge between 12-17 days after hatching. Larger songbirds, like robins, blue jays, and mockingbirds, usually fledge at 13-19 days old.
Here are some approximate fledging times for common songbirds:
Species | Days in Nest Before Fledging |
---|---|
Chickadee | 16-18 days |
Nuthatch | 16-18 days |
Titmouse | 13-17 days |
Wren | 13-17 days |
Robin | 13-16 days |
Blue jay | 17-21 days |
Mockingbird | 12-14 days |
Songbirds have altricial young, meaning the chicks hatch blind, naked, and completely dependent on their parents. They develop quickly in the nest before fledging.
How Long Do Birds of Prey Stay in the Nest?
Raptors like eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons have longer nesting periods, fledging between 35-70 days after hatching. However, there is variation among the different species:
Species | Days in Nest Before Fledging |
---|---|
Bald eagle | 70-77 days |
Red-tailed hawk | 42-46 days |
Great horned owl | 42-49 days |
American kestrel | 26-31 days |
Like songbirds, raptors have altricial young that are totally dependent on their parents in the nest. But raptors take longer to develop the feathers and flight muscles needed to fledge.
How Long Do Waterbirds Stay in the Nest?
Seabirds, waders, and waterfowl also have longer nesting periods than songbirds. For example:
Species | Days in Nest Before Fledging |
---|---|
Mallard duck | 56-58 days |
Canada goose | 42-47 days |
Cormorant | 35 days |
Flamingo | 64-70 days |
Bald eagle | 70-77 days |
Like raptors, waterbirds need more time to develop waterproof feathers and flight capabilities before fledging. Their chicks are semiprecocial, meaning they are able to move around the nest soon after hatching.
How Long Do Woodpeckers Stay in the Nest?
Woodpeckers have some of the longest nesting periods of all backyard birds. For example:
Species | Days in Nest Before Fledging |
---|---|
Downy woodpecker | 26-29 days |
Red-bellied woodpecker | 26-31 days |
Northern flicker | 25-28 days |
Pileated woodpecker | 26-28 days |
Woodpeckers have altricial young like songbirds. But their long beaks take more time to develop before fledging.
How Long Do Backyard Chickens Stay in the Nest?
For backyard chicken keepers, it’s useful to know how long baby chicks need to remain in the nest after hatching. Here are some averages:
Breed | Days in Nest Before Fledging |
---|---|
Leghorns | 12-14 days |
Rhode Island Reds | 14-16 days |
Orpingtons | 14-17 days |
Cochins | 14-16 days |
Silkies | 14-16 days |
Heritage chicken breeds tend to stay in the nest a little longer before fledging than commercial hybrids like Leghorns. But on average, most chicks are ready to fledge around 2 weeks after hatching.
Why Do Some Birds Stay in the Nest Longer?
There are several reasons why some types of baby birds, like raptors, waterbirds, and woodpeckers, have longer nesting periods:
- Their bodies are larger and need more time to develop flight feathers and muscles.
- Species like woodpeckers and waterfowl develop specialized beaks and feet that require more growth before fledging.
- Precocial birds can move around the nest at a younger age, but still can’t fly for several weeks.
- Cavity nesters fledging older may be an adaptation to avoid predators.
- Some migratory birds fledge later to have more time to prepare for migration.
While there is variation across species, the general rule is the larger the bird, the longer it will need to develop before fledging from the nest. Altricial species that hatch naked, blind, and helpless have faster growth than precocial chicks.
How Do Parents Know When Babies Are Ready to Fledge?
Parent birds can sense when their chicks are nearing fledging age in a few key ways:
- Rapid feather development, especially of the flight and tail feathers.
- Flapping wings in the nest in preparation for flying.
- Chicks moving to the edge of the nest.
- Loss of the white fluffy down typical of younger chicks.
- Parents may lure chicks out of the nest by flying nearby with food.
As fledging approaches, parents will encourage the chicks to stretch their wings. But they won’t force chicks out of the nest before they are capable. Nearly-fledged chicks will perch on the edge of the nest in preparation for their first flights.
What Happens After Baby Birds Fledge?
Fledging is just the first major step – baby birds still have a lot more to learn after leaving the nest! Here’s what to expect:
- Fledglings make short flights between nearby trees and shrubs.
- Parents continue to care for and feed the fledglings.
- Fledglings learn to find food and avoid predators.
- Songbirds get better at flying over 2-3 weeks.
- Raptors and larger birds may take 4-8 weeks before skilled flight.
- Parents protect and teach fledglings until independence.
Leaving the nest is a vulnerable stage for young birds. Their initial flights will be clumsy and they still depend on their parents during the post-fledging period. Finding shelter and food while avoiding predators are skills the fledglings will master over time.
How Can You Help Fledgling Birds?
Here are a few tips for protecting fledgling birds in your yard:
- Give fledglings space and don’t disturb them.
- Keep cats indoors so they don’t prey on fledglings.
- Avoid pruning trees and shrubs being used by fledglings.
- Follow your local laws on taking in injured birds.
- Only intervene if a fledgling is clearly in immediate danger.
Healthy fledglings left alone by themselves during the day are likely waiting for parents to return with food. Try not to “rescue” fledglings unless they are in obvious distress or danger. The parents will continue diligent care until the young can survive on their own.
Conclusion
Baby birds remain in the nest anywhere from two weeks to over two months depending on the species. Larger birds, seabirds, cavity nesters, and precocial chicks usually have longer nesting periods. Parent birds know based on development when the chicks are getting ready to fledge. Even after leaving the nest, fledglings still have much to learn and require parental care during the post-fledging stage until independence. If you find a fledgling in your yard, observe it from a distance because the parents are likely still taking care of it.