I just read Susan Collicott's posting about the young crow falling off a
power line. Another story: a couple years ago I was surveying up on the
mountain loop highway and observed a recently fledged flycatcher (willow, I
think) catching flies. It would fly up, catch something, and land back on
the same branch, somewhat unsteadily it seemed to me. Also in the same
area, a rufous hummer was darting around. After I'd been watching the WIFL
for about 10 minutes, the RUHU flew quite close to the perched fledgeling,
which promptly fell off the branch backwards. Call me insensitive, but I
laughed pretty hard. I suppose it's safe to assume that new fliers are
also new perchers, and it takes some practice to maintain balance on narrow
perches, especially in the face of startling events?

Katie Sauter
Center for Streamside Studies
University of Washington Box #352100
Seattle, WA 98195
(206)685-3505
sauter at pisces.fish.washington.edu