It is hard to believe how quickly a bird can go from an egg to a full-grown adult. Small birds like warblers can leave the nest in only 8-10 days but will still be fed by the parents for a couple of weeks. Robins leave the nest at 14 days, reaching adult size around 20 days and are on their own by 30 days. Larger birds like Ospreys have a much longer time before they leave the nest, about 7-8 weeks. Although they are adult size, they will return regularly to the nest for food and as a place to hang out while they learn to fish on their own. That can take another two months and by then it is about time to migrate south for the winter.

The brown feathers on juveniles have a scaly appearance and they have reddish-orange rather than yellow eyes.

Happy Summer Birding!

Brian Morin

Publisher of Ontario Birding News