Survivor

[rejectomorph]

The fledgling is still alive, and still hanging around its nest. The parents are still around, too, but staying a bit farther away than they usually did, and no longer bringing snacks. I saw the little bird hopping about on the lawn, fetching its own food. It passed within two feet of me on its way back to the nest, and seemed none the worse for having taken a ride in a kitty's mouth yesterday. The bird is safe for this afternoon, at least. The day has turned warm, and the cat is napping on the shady back porch instead of the sunny front porch which overlooks the bush in which the birds nested. She'll probably be waking soon and coming around to the front of the house, though, so I hope the bird doesn't get too confident. I have no idea how long this species remains in its natal nest after having fledged, but it would behoove this particular bird to move on as soon as possible. Its parents chose a bad neighborhood.