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What got the babies/eggs?

14 years ago

I had a finch nest in a hanging basket on my porch. Checked on a Monday and 3 eggs had hatched with 1 egg unhatched. 5 days later the nest was completely empty. The basket was hanging between 2 metal pillars, I do not see how a cat or raccoon could have climbed to it. I'm guessing it was another bird? What kind of birds do that?

I also had bluebirds nesting in a empty newspaper box which is attached to my mailbox. I am pretty sure there were eggs in there, but now it has been abandoned.

TIA

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Comments (7)

donald lucius
14 years ago
not knowing where you are at it could be a wide range of things. squirrels and raccoons and snakes need to climb up so not too likely but many birds such as crows and jays and magpies and ravens will raid nests and eat eggs or babys. some wrens and sparrows will destroy eggs and even kill babys. or just punch holes in eggs so they do not hatch. some raptors and owls will catch and eat the babys.
lydia1959
Original Author
14 years ago
Sorry, we are in central MO. I know there are owls in the neighborhood.. we don't really get crows, magpies or ravens.
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alan_la
14 years ago
Lidia, I bet you have Blue Jays,they are often the guilty ones.
lydia1959
Original Author
14 years ago
We do have Blue Jays... never imagined they would do that!

The Bluebirds are back in the newspaper box, so maybe they are trying again?
eric580
14 years ago
Blue jays are pretty birds,but will eat and raid nests.I have many blue jays in my backyard and I make sure my nesting boxes are properly secure. After all this is the first time we've had white breasted nuthatches in our box!
kendra2003
14 years ago
Could you set up a proper box for the Bluebirds? The link below will take you to an awesome site that teaches you all you need to know about hosting Bluebirds. I'm just afraid if they nest in the paper box again, it will have the same result. Most anything can reach them in there. Best of luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sialis website
elke444
14 years ago
I had some heartbreaking episodes on my porch with House Finch. No longer will I encourage them to nest anywhere on my porch. Cat's can jump at all angles to clean out a nest. Once, the mother was left 'in pieces' on my door mat. Squirrels, coon, snakes, and even large raptors, (crows, ravens, etc.) will dine on the babies.

In the bird world, it's sometimes "I'll eat your babies before you eat mine." They usually strike at dawn ... it's not fun to know some things in nature ;(

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