Fledgling Mountain Bluebird

[Teton Chuck]

The Mountain Bluebirds in Jackson Hole have fledged and are forming flocks in preparation for migration. I waited for quite a while for this fledgeling bird to get close enough for me to take its picture.

[Kodiak]

The Mountain Bluebirds in Jackson Hole…

Nice take… proving that nature and bird photography require an opportunistic
approach and and constant dedication.

[Nicks Pics]

That's a fine photo of a pretty bird-worth waiting for. It looks rather similar to the indigo bunting in fall plumage, both both blue bird species are attractive even when they are in their buff body feathers. Don't they retain their blue wing feathers because they only molt those once per year?

[Teton Chuck]

Thanks Kodiak, Mt. Bluebirds are especially hard to photograph because they hang out in sort grass fields. You just have to wait for them to come by. No place for me to hide.

[IzzieK]

The Mountain Bluebirds in Jackson Hole have fledged and are forming flocks in preparation for migration. I waited for quite a while for this fledgeling bird to get close enough for me to take its picture.

Chuck this one is a very pretty bird...Maybe you can PP the eyes the little bit to show a bit of light in it just for show. Also, can you please explain your first sentence. Not very good in the English language, I'd love to know what "fledged and forming flocks in preparation for migration." Sorry for the ignorance but I honestly don't know what that means...

[Shadowman]

Nice capture.

[terrib]

Beautiful shot, Chuck. I've not seen a young one and this reminds me to get back out to a spot I found so many earlier this summer. Perhaps I'll find the fledglings too. I like how the shot shows how well they are camouflaged.

[csa mt]

That is a great image! As you said, they are very difficult to photograph! I absolutely love them with their stunning blue (male adult)! I have quite a few here, and thoroughly enjoy them!

[Brownbear]

Just to add to the accolades... Beautiful image! I love the soft colours, the detail and the moment captured.

[Teton Chuck]

Nick, I don't know the molting pattern of Mt. Bluebirds. But I do know they molt in stages. If you find out an answer to the question please let me know. I'm glad you enjoyed the photo.

[Teton Chuck]

Hi Izzie, fledged has a variety of meanings, but in the case of this species it refers to the time when a young bird is able to fly and leave the nest. Mountain Bluebirds come together in groups (flocks) after they leave the nest and migrate together to their winter habitat. I hope this helps.

[Teton Chuck]

Thanks to all of you for your comments. I hope some of the rest of you can photograph and post Mountain Bluebirds. They are flying gems.

[IzzieK]

Hi Izzie, fledged has a variety of meanings, but in the case of this species it refers to the time when a young bird is able to fly and leave the nest. Mountain Bluebirds come together in groups (flocks) after they leave the nest and migrate together to their winter habitat. I hope this helps.

Oh...OK...I have seen "fledglings" around here and it is fascinating to watch the moms teaches the little birdies. No not the same kind as your mountain bluebirds but with Cardinals ... and only on a one-on-one basis...

Thanks for the info.

P.S. I only tried birdie photos when we are in Florida. They have bigger ones over there...sort of "manageable" for me to shoot.

[bnnrcn]

Beautiful

[Nicks Pics]

At first I thought that maybe wasn't really a fledgling, because of the blue light feathers, but I guess I was being just smart enough to be mistaken. That bird has streaking on the belly, which doesn't seem to be characteristic of an adult female. The thing about the molt patterns (feather exchanging patterns) is that I was thinking a bluebird would have one complete, and one partial molt each year, meaning that they would molt their flight feathers and body feathers after nesting season, ( a complete molt) and get brown fall plumage, and then molt just body feathers in the spring before returning up north, (when their colorful feathers would come in). But actually that is the pattern of birds such as buntings, tanagers, and warblers, (in general), and the mountain bluebird, being a thrush, has one complete molt per year, and no body feather (partial) molt in the spring, so their colorful feathers (blue) must come in at the complete molt they have in late summer. Thanks for the picture prompting me to correct that for myself