topic Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox in Community Chat

A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

Irshgrl31201 — Sun, 29 May 2016 02:39:39 GMT

My mailbox has an actual mailbox and then it is inside a decorative holder so there is a couple of inches (wide) of space on each side and it is about a foot deep. I noticed today that there was what looked like grass clippings on each side and I thought maybe the lawn guys got it in there when they were blowing after mowing. I was getting ready to brush out the clippings when I noticed an egg. Then I looked a little further back and saw a bird about 6 inches behind the egg. I got my mail and left it. I am putting up a little note to let the mailman know so he is aware and doesn't do anything to accidentally hurt the egg.

I don't want to touch it or move it but I am worried that the mailman will disturb it opening up the box daily. It is all padded with grass and they both look pretty comfy cozy.

Would you suggest I do anything else?

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

tedEbear — Sun, 29 May 2016 02:42:37 GMT

@Irishgirl----Make sure the note is BIG!!! This is a funny and cute happening. Take some pics.--tedEbear

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

ROMARY — Sun, 29 May 2016 02:44:05 GMT

Knowing myself (lol), I'd probably put up another mailbox a couple of feet away from your regular mailbox. 'But, that's just me'..........

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

Irshgrl31201 — Sun, 29 May 2016 02:45:44 GMT

@tedEbear wrote:
@Irishgirl----Make sure the note is BIG!!! This is a funny and cute happening. Take some pics.--tedEbear

Ok, I will try to get some pics tomorrow. It is cute. I am so glad I looked more carefully because I was so close to brushing that grass right out and the egg would have fell right on the driveway. @tedEbear, I have some bird seed, do you think I should put some in there for the little guy? I have a bird feeder and hummingbird feeder in my yard about 20 ft away from the mailbox, do you think that is enough?

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

dex — Sun, 29 May 2016 02:46:15 GMT

That is so sweet.I hope the mailman doesn't scare mom and baby when he delivers the mail.I wonder why the bird chose that spot when there is do much activity there daily.

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

tedEbear — Sun, 29 May 2016 02:47:56 GMT

I would think a feeder kind of close, not real close.

BirdMama is the one to ask.

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

september — Sun, 29 May 2016 02:48:12 GMT

I think your note is all you need to do. I've had birds lay eggs in all sorts of places around my home, that I thought were odd. They would fly away when I approached, but come back later.

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

Bird mama — Sun, 29 May 2016 02:49:04 GMT

The bird built the nest and had to be pretty comfy there for some days before laying the egg.. Do you know that kind of bird it is @Irshgrl31201

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

ROMARY — Sun, 29 May 2016 02:51:42 GMT

I do believe that the mom is 'hiding out' in a rather safe place, 'if you ask me'. I wouldn't place any seed inside or very near the mailbox, because it will encourage other not-so-nice birds and other critters to bother the mom and the eventual baby bird. I'd leave things the way they are..........Right now, 'all is well on the Western front'..........

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

JustJazzmom — Sun, 29 May 2016 02:51:53 GMT

Figure about 2 weeks from hatching to fledging the nest. Once the bird has left the nest, then you can remove the nest from the mailbox.

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

Bird mama — Sun, 29 May 2016 02:54:02 GMT

@ROMARY wrote:
I do believe that the mom is 'hiding out' in a rather safe place, 'if you ask me'. I wouldn't place any seed inside or very near the mailbox, because it will encourage other not-so-nice birds and other critters to bother the mom and the eventual baby bird. I'd leave things the way they are..........Right now, 'all is well on the western front'..........

@ROMARY Bingo ^^^^^^^

The less fuss, the better

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

Jeannie29 — Sun, 29 May 2016 02:59:20 GMT

I, for one, would love a pic if it can be taken without disturbing mama

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

feline groovy — Sun, 29 May 2016 03:13:06 GMT

Awwwwwwwwwww!

@Irshgrl31201. mama and baby could not be in better hands - & heart.

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

Irshgrl31201 — Sun, 29 May 2016 03:21:15 GMT

@Bird mama wrote:
The bird built the nest and had to be pretty comfy there for some days before laying the egg.. Do you know that kind of bird it is @Irshgrl31201

@Bird mama I don't know what kind it is. He was in the back so there wasn't much light but he looked to have dark brown or black feathers with some white at the tips. Very small too. The egg is a tan color with darker brown specks through it. I don't know anything about birds but I have a friend who knows so much about them. She goes out at least 3 days a week to a bird refuge near her house and takes pictures. I know she will know what it is but it is so far back in the mailbox that is kind of hard to see. I am going to try to get a picture tomorrow so I can put it up here and send it to my friend.

Thanks everyone. I thought the less fuss the better but I wanted to check. Like I said I know little about birds. I knew enough not to disturb the little guy and that is about it. Thanks again! I can't wait til it hatches!

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

Irshgrl31201 — Sun, 29 May 2016 03:22:25 GMT

@Jeannie29 wrote:
I, for one, would love a pic if it can be taken without disturbing mama

@Jeannie29, I am going to try and get one tomorrow. If the mama isn't there I will take a picture of the egg!

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

Irshgrl31201 — Sun, 29 May 2016 03:23:56 GMT

@feline groovy wrote:
Awwwwwwwwwww!
@Irshgrl31201. mama and baby could not be in better hands - & heart.

@feline groovy, how is everything with you? Were you able to stay in your apt. I tried to write to you on here but they deleted it very quickly!

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

JustJazzmom — Sun, 29 May 2016 03:26:16 GMT

I had a mockingbird create a nest 5' away from my front door inside a holly bush. Four eggs were laid inside; 3 were the mockingbird's and the 4th was from a brown headed cowbird who act like European cuckoos that lay an egg in another bird's nest and allow the parents to raise the stranger as their own.

The parents would search for food for themselves and since they are mostly fruit eaters, I put out raisins and dried currants for them on a small porch table. A bird sanctuary in our area also suggested putting out crushed egg shells because egg laying depletes a mother bird of calcium and her eating the egg shells would help her replenish her levels again.

The parents were very people tolerant and let me examine the nest before they hatched and afterwards. I ended up destroying the brown headed cowbird's egg with me breaking it. The next day the egg and its contents were completely gone, probably eaten by the mother mockingbird. And by examining I mean looking at it not touching their eggs (except for the interloper). The babies fledged in 13 days and mockingbird babies do not have long tails like their parents, as they grow their tails elongate over time.

It was a fascinating experience that I will never forget.

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

Irshgrl31201 — Sun, 29 May 2016 03:33:07 GMT

@JustJazzmom wrote:
I had a mockingbird create a nest 5' away from my front door inside a holly bush. Four eggs were laid inside; 3 were the mockingbird's and the 4th was from a brown headed cowbird who act like European cuckoos that lay an egg in another bird's nest and allow the parents to raise the stranger as their own.

The parents would search for food for themselves and since they are mostly fruit eaters, I put out raisins and dried currants for them on a small porch table. A bird sanctuary in our area also suggested putting out crushed egg shells because egg laying depletes a mother bird of calcium and her eating the egg shells would help her replenish her levels again.

The parents were very people tolerant and let me examine the nest before they hatched and afterwards. I ended up destroying the brown headed cowbird's egg with me breaking it. The next day the egg and its contents were completely gone, probably eaten by the mother mockingbird. And by examining I mean looking at it not touching their eggs (except for the interloper). The babies fledged in 13 days and mockingbird babies do not have long tails like their parents, as they grow their tails elongate over time.

It was a fascinating experience that I will never forget.

Oh, wow! That is so interesting. Do you think I should put some egg shells out on the porch as well? I am nervous what will happen once it hatches. I am worried the mailman will disturb or scare them. Maybe I will have my mail temporarily halted and pick it up at the post office until they are gone. I don't really have a place to put a temp mailbox on the street because it is all cement and I don't want to have the mailman have to get out of his jeep and put it on the porch. I don't want to put him out.

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

ECBG — Sun, 29 May 2016 03:41:57 GMT

I hope we get to see your little company when it's safe!

Re: A bird laid an egg in my mailbox

MaggieMack — Sun, 29 May 2016 03:51:14 GMT

@Irshgrl31201, that is an excellent idea to put your mail on hold for a few days, if it is cnvenient for you to pick up at the post office. You can do it online. What a wonderful story, really touches my heart.