What is the life cycle of the fledglings?
Martins will nest only one time per year in the spring, and nesting begins a few weeks after arrival. They lay from 1 to 6 eggs in a clutch, but normally average 4 eggs per nest. Incubation for martin eggs is usually 16 days. From hatchling to fledgling is normally 28 days. The parents will continue to feed fledglings for about two more weeks, or until they are able to catch food for themselves. Young birds continue to return to the nest sight each night until they leave for the migratory flight to Brazil. A good percentage will come back to the same house each year.
