First in Flight

   There was a parental demonstration of the art of flying this morning on our driveway. A pair of adult Northern Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) were teaching a fledgling (just out of the nest) how to fly. It was noisy.

   Here is the little pilot, on the runway. He gets a signal from the tower and he's ready to go. He throws back his muffler and fixes his goggles. Then he slowly... achingly slow... lifts his wings, imitating his parents. The mother bird swooped down to encourage her charge. Then he tried again.

   It never amounted to "flight" as one would consider "flight". The little bird scooted into the grass and hid under a bush. It was too cute.

Robert

Photos courtesy of bshelton