While watching a young Mockingbird grooming its wings, the fledgling suddenly perked up as one of its parents approached with a mouthful of dinner. Mom and Dad Northern Mockingbirds both care for their young so the adult in the photos could have been either or. Mockingbird pairs are strongly monogamous and boldly defend their nests and nestlings from people, pets, and predators.

With their fluffy new feathers, fledglings of many species often appear larger than the parent. I sometimes wonder how baby birds ever get off the ground as they become plumper and plumper from the rich diet provided by their parents. Mockingbird fledglings and adults eat a wide variety of fruits, berries, and insects.

As you may or may not be aware, a statewide moratorium on feeding birds at feeders was declared because of an avian disease killing birds in the South. No cases have been found in New England and the mysterious disease seems to be waning in the South. Mass Audubon has announced it it safe to once again resume feeding at feeders. For the health and well being of songbirds, to help prevent the spread of any disease, it is recommended to clean bird feeders and bird baths about every two weeks with a solution of bleach and water, 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Thank you to Monarch friend Judy A. for sharing the update!