Community Chat

[Bird mama]

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@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

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[Jeannie29]

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

[feline groovy]

Awwwwwwwwwww! 

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

[Irshgrl31201]

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@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

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@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!

[Irshgrl31201]

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@Jeannie29 wrote:

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

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

[Irshgrl31201]

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@feline groovy wrote:

Awwwwwwwwwww! 

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

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@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!

[JustJazzmom]

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.

[Irshgrl31201]

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@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.

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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. 

[ECBG]

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

[MaggieMack]

@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.