I have 4 baby Cardinals, now just as big as their parents. They are capable of getting their own food, drinking from the bird bath etc. They are always the first in the morning to the bird feeder, a little shakey but able to take care of themselves. The 2 parents show up about 1/2 hour later...(they must be exhausted)!
The minute the parents show up, the babies drop to the ground and start chirping and fluttering with their mouths open demanding to be fed. The parents immediately start feeding these little fakers. I wonder how long this is going to go on!
r.