Meet the blackbird family.

Let me tell you the story of the blackbird family.  

All these pictures were taken in our back yard between the 2nd and 7th of December, 2020.  

This is dad blackbird. He's got a lot on his mind. Always got to be watchful. He's a no-nonsense kind of bird. 

He can be a bit grumpy now and then, but he means well. He's got a family to protect. And there's been some serious trouble lately. 

There's mom blackbird. She is stylish...

and always tries to look her best. She is easy going and exerts a calming influence on her mate. 

And here's their pride and joy, Baby blackbird.  

Both parents work hard to feed Baby.  They've been doing a very good job.    

But Baby blackbird is getting older. He's starting to get more 'birdy' everyday.  

Baby has already mastered his first skill; standing on one foot. He's quite proud and hopes that his parents notice.  

"Look mom and dad. Look what I can do!"  

But, what's this?  Dad is hunting worms in the yard.  Baby watches closely...

"Wow, dad, that looks like fun. Can I try?"  

"Sure you can. Flying Is fun Baby. Do it just like this. Give it your best."  

Baby flies down. He does his best, but it's not easy.

 With dad's encouragement, he catches his first worm. 

Did you notice? Baby doesn't have tail feathers.  

"Look what I caught all by myself. Dad showed me how. They sure wiggle a lot. It was fun."

Baby keeps practicing and can soon catch and hold more than one worm at a time!  

We think that Baby's tail feathers were taken by a cat or maybe a magpie.  We found a bloody tail feather on our deck.  

Baby soon becomes an expert worm catcher.  

He is flying farther all the time, all the way to the far side of the yard, behind the fig tree. 

Is that silhouette of a bird on the fence really our friend Baby?

It sure is!  He's doing his special trick again.   

One day, another baby we haven't seen before showed up. We don't know if this is a sibling or just a little friend.  

The new baby sits on the fence and watches Baby down on the lawn hunting worms. 

New baby flies down.  

New baby's tail is intact. 

Baby catches a worm.  

And feeds it to the new baby.  

New baby swallows it happily. 

Siblings or friends, it doesn't matter.  

Time passes. Dad and mom are standing on their 'front porch.'  They're watching Baby in the yard.  

"Just look at that little guy go, will ya?  He may not be the fastest bird in the yard, but I'll bet you anything he's the smartest. Did you see that last one he got?  That was text book worming if ever I saw it!"  

"You taught him well, dear. I remember how fast you were when we first met.

You know, I think I'm going to kind of miss stuffing him with worms all day long. Our Baby is growing up and won't need us much longer...sigh."  

"Yeah, well, he'll be fine. His 'accident' won't hold him back for long. One of these days I'll take him with me and introduce him around the yards. Maybe we can even stop down at the Opanuku for a drink. Yeah, he'll be fine.    -djf