Six images for growth comparison. Two images of the young at at 12 days old, two at 16 days and two at 17 days. According to the literature, young Kingbirds usually leave the nest about 17 days after hatching. I first observed them on July the 9th and they fledged on the 14th, five days later. Each of the three times that I observed them, they seemed to have an insatiable appetite, with Mom and Dad constantly on the move catching and bringing them their food. One could almost see them grow. At 12 days old, all three fitted comfortably in the small nest, five days later, there hardly seemed to be room for two.

Top image: The three young at 12 days old, clamoring for more, food.


Again at 12 days.


At 16 days old they are practically crowding each other out of the small nest.


Again at 16 days old. The young are now taking turns doing wing exercises. One actually ventured on to a small branch next to the nest.


At 17 days old. The first fledgling. This is the one that got the raspberry and almost choked on it ( http://www.pbase.com/hankvv/image/115012586 ). Note how big it is compared to five days previous.


One of the two remaining young sitting on the branch from with the first launched its first flight. Note, by the end of the day, all three had left the nest.