Blackbird Parents Require Me Time

Last spring I spent some time with a colony of brewer’s blackbirds at a local wetland and noticed that the birds needed to take a break from feeding their chicks. That’s not surprising, rearing chicks is hard work for all species. However, the behavior is so relatable to what we experience as people; I thought I would share it.

Early in the morning, the birds were busy catching insects near the water and bringing them back to the nests to feed their chicks. The birds moved quickly, flying just above the bushes and over the water. They returned just as quickly and disappeared into the bushes that housed their nests. The speed of their flights and the number of birds going back and forth created a chaotic scene similar to rush hour traffic. This non-stop activity continued for about 20 minutes.

Then, the pace of food deliveries slowed. The birds returning from the water frequently perched on a bush for an extended period after catching an insect. The resting period lasted for about a minute, during which the birds remained motionless, save for the occasion scan for predators. I hypothesized the birds were tired after chasing insects and were using the bushes at the edge of the wetlands as a rest stop. 

Of course, this was great for me, as it created an opportunity to photograph several birds with prey and the occasional bird on its way to hunt.