After the death of one of the mockingbird hatchlings, I’ve watched and listened closely to the various comings and goings in the nest.  I came to realize there had originally been three babies.  That meant two remained alive.

When I arrived home today, I immediately realized the situation had once again changed.

One chick is still in the nest.  Its progressively stronger voice can still be heard demanding a bite to eat when either parent gets close.

The other, however, is not in the nest anymore.

When first I stepped outside, I could hear its scratchy, squeaky voice calling out somewhat plaintively from higher up in the tree.  And its cries were near constant.

I circled the tree as best I could without luck.  Although I could hear the tiny one, I couldn’t see it.

Then I got smart.  I backed away and surreptitiously observed from a corner of the patio.  Sure enough, one of the adults came in almost immediately and joined its offspring.  Where?

Between yesterday and today, this tiny, flightless, just-now-finding-its-voice child has somehow climbed out of the nest and made its way up various branches to a position more than a foot (30 cm) above where it was born.  It now hides—well, actually it clings and screams from within a dense patch of foliage and branches, although careful observation reveals occasional glimpses of the little creature.

We have had thunderstorms and rain (sometimes heavy) these past few days.  Did the child become frightened and try to follow its parents when they flew off?  Did it simply feel it was ready to join them in the air?  Or was it something else entirely?

I fear for the baby.  I think it’s too early for it to be out of the nest, although the parents continue tending to it in its new location.  In fact, I’ve seen one of them sitting with it and talking to it from time to time, as though trying to reassure it it’s not alone.

Nevertheless, we expect unsettled weather for several days.  A strong wind or strategic hail stone could easily knock the little fledgling from the tree.  And who knows what will happen when it falls asleep…

I’ll have to pay close attention to this new development.  With one in the nest and one in the branches, it’ll be interesting to see how they develop and who first tries out their wings, not to mention—in cold hard facts—who survives.

Oh, and the funny part is this: the parents must see me as a threat.  They’ve already taken to landing on the patio fence and berating me with their mocking insults, each in turn flying about as though I’ll flee in terror brought on by their mighty aerial display and raucous insults.  If I move too much or get too close, they retreat to the tree and continue taunting me from there.