Female cardinal stole Carolina wren egg from nest?
16 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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Wretched Wren!
Comments (12)Tamgirl, I'm not sure what you mean by a hatchery, but, no, I don't have one. I live on 5 1/2 acres of mostly wooded property, so there are host plants all over the place. My passionvines are mostly growing on the hurricane fence that surrounds my garden and on the wood picket fence around the front "yard". I've released 45-50 gulf frits this month, so I had decided to leave the cats on the vines. After seeing the wren pecking at the chrysalis, I've changed my mine, and now I'm bringing in eggs and hatchlings to raise in the cages on my covered porch like I did those I've already released. I guess you could call my cages my hatcheries. This is the first time I've seen a bird showing interest in eating a caterpillar or chrysalis, although I'm aware that the cuckoos come here to eat tent caterpillars, I just don't see them doing it. Out here in the woods, there are SO many insects - people who live in town can't imagine how thick they are here - and birds have all them to eat plus sunflower seeds, and the hummers feed at my hummingbird feeders. I guess that's why they don't need to bother caterpillars much, but maybe the wrens saw easy pickings and decided to partake! Sherry...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 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- 16 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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