Female cardinal stole Carolina wren egg from nest?
15 years ago
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 (9)Wow, it looks like she left you the mother lode there, Sherry! ;-) I think the most I ever had in a bunch was about 24. They're my very favorite caterpillar to raise. I love to put a few lengths of vine in a big storage container and watch the cats scurry along on their way to somewhere that I guess they have in mind. They always make it look like it's urgent. Ha. That's a Carolina wren for ya, building a nest in such a strange place. One year I had a pair build a nest on one of the shelves in my workshop after those little opportunists sneaked in there a few days when I had the door open and made themselves right at home. I didn't shut the door again until after the babies fledged. I have bluebird houses stacked up in our corncrib and one year the Carolina wrens made a nest in one of them even with it turned upside down. My dad had one build a nest in his fishing net one yet. Out of all of the birds that I get here, I call them the most eccentric. :) They sure are cute little things and they love the peanut butter/cornmeal/shortening mix that I put out in a log feeder for them in the winter. Cathy...See MoreWho is nesting in your yard?
Comments (18)You all are very inspiring - thank you. I keep working at making my yard wildlife friendly and you all remind me of why. Things are hopping here as babies are taught to forage at the bird feeders. The chickadees showed up yesterday - six (!) survived. It was a hoot. The downy woodpecker baby hasn't quite got the trick of the suet feeder but keeps pecking the metal pole and not understanding why he's not getting any suet - Dad Downy is a bit embarrassed I think. Only one thrasher baby survived and is being viciously defended by parents as he learns to forage, and two male red bellied woodpeckers got in a huge, rolling on the ground fight in the woods yesterday. Yikes. Great crested flycatcher knocked a blue jay out of the air when it got to close to the box. Sadly, my much loved Carolina wrens fledged too early and I doubt they will make it. They left the property as I have no underbrush here (yet) so can't monitor their progress. Had to stop mowing one area where robin babies are and the Mom hummingbirds are at the feeders more of late so juveniles can't be far behind. sowngrow - wrens here nested on my front porch. They tend to stay near humans as sort of a protection thing. Last year it was under my back porch which is very active, including my dogs being out there with me constantly and it did not seem to bother them at all. I have no idea where the phoebes nested. Built them two shelves but they went ignored so I need to relocate them. Love the phoebes! They feed in my yard daily, but no nesting. dodi34453 - love the blog. Thanks for showing us. :) ron45715 - WOW on the martins. How cool. Your air is going to be full soon - what a beautiful sight that will be. And the thrushes are singing....See MoreWren nestboxes
Comments (21)I've been away for a while, and now catching on your replies to my posting. I had no idea that I would inspire a debate, but at least it was educational. Here is what I have observed, at least so far. I have a pair of mocking birds nesting not far from the wren nestboxes, in spite of Rachel's warning that I would have no other birds nesting in the vicinity. It is very well hidden in a densely foliated bush. I haven't actually seen it, because I hestiate to pry into the bush for fear of disturbing the nest. But I hear the babies chirping when the parents visit to feed them. I am amused that when the parents see me looking towards the nest they will wait nearby, and as soon I look away, they dart into the bush. But I am looking out of the corner of my eye, or over the top of my glasses. There are no bluebirds in my area, which was a concern to some. But I have chickadees in the neighborhood, and passing through my yard, as well as the wrens. They must be getting along somehow. Currently, all three wren nestboxes are empty, including the one that I emptied of spruce twigs after the wrens filled it up. I am thinking of enlarging the hole of one of the nestboxes to accommodate chickadees, but haven't done so yet. Does any one know how chickadee nesting preferences differ from wren preferences?...See MoreDo wrens easily leave eggs behind?
Comments (8)Susan / catherinet, you do have valid points, nature is nature, especially when it comes to native birds, but you can also look at it as wrens are more than plentiful as well. You may not have problems with them now but the more there are, the more that will be in your yard and like this year it was cool even in May where I am and most of the cavity nesters in my area were just getting started on their firsts nest when the wrens arrived. I see and hear many wrens in my yard and neighborhood so they obviously don't need my help, they are more plentiful than the other species in my yard and less territorial. They will find natural cavities just fine. You know Eastern Bluebirds nearly became extinct after the introduction of house sparrows and European starlings in the last century. With man's help putting up nesting boxes and doing whatever it takes to protect them they have made a tremendous comeback. I like all cavity nesters and gladly share my boxes with any bird unless the species will do other birds harm. So in my yard, house sparrows, starlings, and wrens are out, and Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Chickadees, Titmice, Nuthatches, and Woodpeckers are in....See More- 15 years ago
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What 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.
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