Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/13/2007

Question
I have been watching mocking bird activity by my back door for a few weeks. Their eggs hatched about 10 days ago, and I was able to observe them feeding the young through a window.  Yesterday, the parents were unusually aggressive in protecting a 20 ft perimeter around the nest.  I noticed the adults fly into the bush a couple of times this morning.  A few hours later I noticed the yard was unusually quiet.  I was able to approach the nest and found a good size dead baby.  I know three eggs hatched.  How far can a fledgling travel the first day it leaves the nest?  I see no sign of the other two.

Thank you

Answer
How far can a fledgling travel the first day? Quite a ways, depending on the situation. Depends on where the food is. The parents may stay around the nest or leave the area entirely. Often, the best place for a nest is not the best place for babies on the ground, so they move as soon as the young are able.