My latest forest discoveries demonstrate the difference between being a ground nester like the white throated sparrow and a cavity nester like the tree swallow. The white throated sparrow nestlings grow faster and hop out of their forest floor nest as fast as possible - predation is a constant risk for such a vulnerable nest location. They are still vulnerable as they hop around on the forest floor but with short practice flights they gain strength by the hour. One day after I took the photo of the white throated sparrow babies they were fledged and gone leaving behind the perfect nest made of grasses and pine needles.

Tree swallow nestlings get to luxuriate in their nest a bit longer for a solidly good reason: they must be able to fly the minute they leave the cavity.