Benjamin P. Burtt writes about birds every other week for Stars. Write to him in care of Stars Magazine, P.O. Box 4915, Syracuse, NY 13221; or [email protected] (put "birds" in the subject field).

Many bird species are seeing their babies leave the nest, but that does not mean their parental duties are over. The fledged chicks are flying about, but they still rely on their parents for food.