Female cardinal stole Carolina wren egg from nest?
At least I think that's what she did. I have a hanging basket on the front porch. A couple weeks ago I noticed a Carolina wren had built a nest. Then about a week later a Cardinal started building in the same basket. The CW has been feeding her babies and the Cardinal is now incubating. Today I watched the Cardinal peer into the CW nest and come up with something that looked like a white egg. She then flew off, then returned a few minutes later.
Is that even possible? And if so, why?
Cardinal nest on left, Carolina wren on right...
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Comments (20)
birding_nut
14 years agoLindaMA
14 years agoRelated Discussions
A bounty of wildlife - and Cardinals in my KO!
Comments (10)Funny you should mention the Cardinal. I had never seen one before because we don't have them out here. We were vacationing in the South two weeks ago and saw one in Mobile, Alabama and another two days later in West Monroe, La. Everything was blooming everywhere we went and the Cardinal sightings were icing on the cake. Went to Chamblee's on the way to the airport for the flight home....See MoreAttracting Wrens
Comments (21)It was raccoons that got the first failed Bluebird nest, because they were good sized nestlings and one morning they were gone. So something got them overnight. I then baffled the snag using sheet metal flashing, and that DOES work for all climbing critters, but that didn't stop the House Wrens who got the final nesting. I knew it was wrens because I found an eggshell on the ground that had a tiny hole in the shell, and the Wrens were flocking around the nest hole later in the day (poor Blues). Dante, I can't speak for Lisa, but I don't "eradicate" House Wrens as they are native birds, just don't encourage them. They like brushy, shrubby areas (as do many birds, such as Cardinals and all Sparrows), and I've removed most of that. Also you can remove their sticks from a nestbox where they start to build a nest. Goldfinch, when the Blues were nesting, I did do a little House Sparrow control. I had a nest box installed on the side of the house that had a Van Ert trap in it. There are not a lot of House Sparrows here, but that did remove a couple of males that were trying to nest in the yard and may have posed a threat to the Blues....See MoreFrom Carolina Wren To Eastern Phoebe
Comments (17)There are several little beaks bobbing and weaving in the nest. Mother and Father Phoebe are feeding them together. One of the parents--looked like Father Phoebe--served up a bug with its wings still on. Father Phoebe was working with the bug for some time. When he delivered it, the bug's body was facing towards Baby Phoebe. Baby Phoebe gulped it down with no complaints. Both parents stand together on the stamped concrete under the deck. They constantly scour the walls of the house for bugs. Now and then, they go up to the nest for a look-see. I haven't figured that out. Maybe looking for fecal sacs? Anyway, I can gawk all I want at this little family and they cannot see me....See MoreA Question about A Carolina Wren Nest and Eggs
Comments (13)Hi! A couple weeks ago we noticed 2 Carolina wrens building their nest in our fern right outside of our kitchen window. We were so excited! Then a few days ago we no longer saw them around and sadly thought that they had abandoned their nest. This morning we were talking about removing the nest from the fern and when I peeked, I saw 5 eggs! Now we are concerned if they have abandoned their eggs :( Is this possible? We haven't seen them around at all. What time of the day do they incubate? Would it be possible that we are missing their timing? We are not morning risers. Agh! I'd be so sad if by any chance we scared them away :( We have been very respectful, however sometimes we would open the window. I do not know how long the eggs have been there. I thought that as soon as they were close to being done building their nest, they had left. Do they first build and then lay their eggs? Thank you so much!...See Morenatal
14 years agonatal
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claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
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14 years agoWhat a way to start the day! As I passed the living room picture window this morning I heard chatter and caught a glimpse of movement. I walked closer and saw the Carolina wrens with their heads above the basket rim. I was pretty sure what was coming so I grabbed the camera.
Fledgling #1...
Ready to test those wings ... "Here we go!"...
#1 with a bit of a bumpy start ... "Where am I?"...
fledgling #2...
#2 flew to the lattice...
"Lady, enough with the pictures!"...
What amazed me was that the male cardinal was right there with the Carolina wren parents making sure the babies were safe. The fledglings flew around the azaleas for awhile, then into the courtyard and side yard until they eventually flew off.
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
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Stefan Schmidt