Father’s Day gives us the opportunity to celebrate and thank all the “dads” in our lives. Whether it’s the dad you grew up with, a close friend who mentors like a dad, or just someone you look up to, this is their day!
As nesting season is in full swing we can’t help but think of our bird-dads as well. If you’re like me, you’ve come to realize that some birds provide very little to their offspring other than DNA (think Hummingbirds and Brown-headed Cowbirds, to name a couple). But you’ve probably noticed other male birds doing their best to help with nest building, food carrying, and then feeding their always-hungry babies. It’s hard work and it keeps them busy.
But what about beyond the nest? What else does dad teach his new offspring once they fledge? Here’s what we found.
Singing Lessons
In most songbirds, it’s the father’s job to train his sons in the art of making music. For White-throated Sparrows, “young males must hear the songs of their own species or they will never learn to sing correctly themselves,” says Kenn Kaufman. “But the older males aren’t teaching them in any direct way: They’re just singing, and the youngsters in the neighborhood are listening.” (Source: Audubon Magazine)
Foraging
There’s no denying that during nesting season, dad woodpeckers make excellent dads. Not only do they often share equally in the nesting duties with their mates, but come nighttime, the fathers often solely incubate the eggs and brood the nestlings. They also bring food to the nestlings as often, or even more so, than the mothers. And when the young brood fledges from the nest, dads spend the next few weeks leading them to great food and water sources, including his own favorite backyard bird feeders. Have you seen woodpecker dads and their offspring at your feeders this year? (Source: Wildbirds Unlimited)
On the Job Training
Pygmy and Brown-headed Nuthatches are some of the few bird species to provide future dads with on-the-job training. While nesting, these Nuthatches can have between one to three male helpers, usually their own offspring. These helpers learn how to provide food for the mother as she incubates the eggs, and how to feed the youngsters, both while in the nest and for many days after they have fledged. Dads teaching their sons to be great dads! (Source: Wildbirds Unlimited)
Warnings, Alerts, and Survival Skills
Parent birds will continue feeding the chicks and assisting them in learning how to find food for themselves, but it doesn’t stop there. The parents will continue to provide as much protection as they can and begin teaching the chicks how to protect themselves, “educating” them in all the important survival strategies they need to mature, breed, and provide for the continuation of the species. Fathers also help teach their young various vocalizations used to reunite a separated family, alert siblings of silent “freeze” commands, and how to communicate within the flock. (Source: The Wild Bird Store)
As you can see, these bird dads, like human dads, go beyond the basics of food and shelter to make sure their offspring are well cared for. So to all human and feathered dads, we hope you enjoy your special day!
Featured Image: Bluebird and fledling. Photo by Joleen Ardaiolo.
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