17 replies to this topic

[SPiercePhotography]

Hi All-

I'm new to the forums, but not new to whatbird.com! I've been using it a lot to ID many of the birds that i've been photographing lately.

This one in particular has alluded me, and i'm hoping one of you can help!

It looks like a young robin of some sort, but i can't find any photos anywhere that match.


Unknown Bird by SPierceUrbex, on Flickr

Found in Chicopee, Mass. I think it may be a flegling/youngin, but not sure. it had obviously been in a fight so might look a little off, as well. I'd just love to know what it is! I'd be happy to answer any additional questions the best I can.

[Bigfoot]

Welcome to Whatbird, Nice shot

Bigfoot

[BarnSwallow]

It's a baby robin. Why has it obviously been in a fight? Looks perfectly normal to me.

[SPiercePhotography]

Ah, thank you both!

Barnswallow: here's another shot of it, from behind. it's tail looks pretty beat up- I photographed it for about an hour, and... it wasn't doing too well. I walked pretty much right up to it, less than a foot away, and it didn't even hop away. Just closed it's eyes and stayed there. I'm hoping that it's really alright, and i'm being overly paranoid.

[sdearth]

waiting for his parents to bring him a worm. Keep us posted though about his outcome. Hope there is no cats around.

[SPiercePhotography]

If I see him again, i'll certainly do so He's at the state park across from my work; i regularily go over there to photograph robins and any other birds I can find. Whatbird.com has been a huge help in IDing everyone!

[BarnSwallow]

It may have gotten roughed up by something, but they can look pretty rough when their adult feathers are coming in. Hope he's OK!

[fisherman1313]

The tail feathers look that way because this is a fledgeling and the feather sheaths have not all dropped off yet. Also, the reason it did not hop away is because of its age, it has not yet learned to fear humans.

[Pat B.]

Also, the reason it did not hop away is because of its age, it has not yet learned to fear humans.

I have a couple of fledgling Am. Robins in my yard the last few days and one thing I've noticed is that they have no fear of us at all. You can truly walk right up to them.

[Mickie]

Incredible shot, what equipment are you using.

[creeker]

Thank you, SPierce, for doing exactly what you are supposed to do when you see a fledgling on the ground. Leave it there! So many people think they are helping young birds like this by taking them in and trying to feed and care for them. I hope others will do like you, just let it be.

[fisherman1313]

Thank you, SPierce, for doing exactly what you are supposed to do when you see a fledgling on the ground. Leave it there! So many people think they are helping young birds like this by taking them in and trying to feed and care for them. I hope others will do like you, just let it be.

Here, here!

[SPiercePhotography]

Barnswallow and fisherman: thanks all for your input! heres hoping she/he grows up into a beautiful robin! i was fearing the worst yesterday when i left!

He was in a pretty out of the way spot- not many people walk there unless theres a huge gathering going on, so i'm pretty sure he'll be left alone. or i hope at least. I can't believe people would actually take them away! Especially when there are SO many pairs of robins around to take it in if it needs it. Granted, I left it in peace because I thought it was sick (as it looked at me most of the time through closed eyes, it was sort of cute!) but even I wouldn't take a bird away unless I was a professional.

re: equipment, i've got a d80 and put my 500mm on so i could get in nice and close

[Clip]

I had a little guy last year in my backyard that couldn't fly at all. He intial couldn't hop very well either. But dad came around several times a day and fed him and after a couple of days he could hop better and then after about 9 days he flew away. You did the right thing by leaving it be. Dad was likely not far off. He may have fell out of the nest to soon or something and may have been injured. That is what we think happen to our little guy.

We have had young ones this year but they can all fly

[SPiercePhotography]

Hey, just as an update on this little guy, he appears to have passed away between when I saw him yesterday, and when I went back to the park during lunch today. Still in the grass, but stiff and on its back. RIP little bird!

[creeker]

Well, that happens. The parents just need to reproduce themselves successfully once in their lifetime to perpetuate the species. Imagine how many robins we would have if they all lived!

[SPiercePhotography]

Wow, that's a scary thought! I did see two other baby robins hanging around, though none were as cute as the ones I saw yesterday!

I ended up photographing a Northern Flicker during lunch instead

[fisherman1313]

That's nature's way. If I remember correctly, the mortality rate for juvenile songbirds is over 90%, probably around 95-96%. If they all survived we'd have to watch where we stepped everytime we went outside. I feel bad for the little guy but at least it went peacefully and was not attacked by somebody's cat.