The Brown Thrashers in my yard have a "baby" joining them at my feeders. It doesn't have a clue what to do but it is hanging out just learning and watching - anthropomorphic bias noted. The adults have been leaning heavily on my suet feeders as of late. For a while it was just one at a time and lately they have both been present and wisking away a wad of waxy wonder food apparently for the youngster. Only one fledgling has shown up with its short tail and otherwise similar markings. I was in awe that the tail may be the last thing to grow out as a youngster might find it difficult to hang out for long trying to stuff a fully developed tail into the confines of the nest - and the adults have such long and beautiful tails which they apparently use for balance and exacting flight control - at least in their out-my-window suet feeder flight path. The youngsters just buzz in a relatively straight line to a branch and bray for food. Must be a bit of a respite for the adults to have the kid come up to the trough instead of having to cash and carry the tidbits of greasy food to the nest.
The orioles are increasing their rounds to the jelly but seem to ignore the meal worms - leaving them for the assertive robins and catbirds. And while the sight is warm and fuzzy, the number of baby house finches compared to the numbers of other young is a bit sad. The goldfinches continue to gather cotton for their nest building - practically continuously for some 6 weeks now - must be one hell of a nest by now! Other birdy family stories to come as the urge takes me. Thomas Maiello Spring Lake Park