OMG - they're gorgeous, Randy! I love those cuddly little birds! On a not-so-cuddly note, I rescued a red-eared slider traveling down my side street the other day and have to take her to the lake this weekend. She is a large one - about 8"X6". Could really take a chunk out of someone. Anyway, she has no business being in the city - not her habitat - so to the lake she goes. Someone was probably trying to keep her confined, and due to her size, was unsuccessful. The claws on this girl are amazing! Susan

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.

Yes I can and Good point, exactly why I said it's ok to disagree and that PMrs and Bluebirders go to great lengths to protect their birds. The difference is you KNOW what bird laid the cowbird egg. Lets put it this way, you know the cowbird egg, if hatched is going to kill the host birds babies so 1 cowbird lives and 3-4-5 other babies die. That cowbird has laid many eggs in many nests we dont see ....we know this, a whole nest is not lost, that cow bird WILL have offspring. 1 egg not being allowed to hatch is much different than removing a whole nest, especially when you dont even know what bird built it. My biggest problem with this is.... a PMr should understand the challenges birds face from pesticides and loss of habitat to upity people that tear down nests because they dont want a little poop on their porch. You know as well as I do the proper thing to do would have been to ID the bird and move the nest to an appropriate place if nessary. You also know that people who know nothing about birds come in and read these posts to learn, what kind of message is Casi's post sending? I got no argument with her protecting her PMs, just with the fact she did not spend one second to try to let both nests flourish.

I have the same situation. Today I checked on the nest only to find a dead baby hanging from the side of the nest. I removed it and then waited out of sight to see when the parents might return. I've seen no sign of them for several hours. The two remaining babies are calling and calling. They too should be leaving the nest soon (although they still look young to me). do I dare try to feed them on my own??