I have seen this before. I had a video camera in some open cup nests and saw how babies would get out of their nests and jump in branches nearby close to fledge time. However, they would return to their nests later.

Lisa the cowbird parents will not feed the baby. They lay their eggs in other birds nests. They do not care for their own young. It will take all the food and some if not all of the Chippers will die. The cowbird babies mouths are red inside telling the foster parents that it has not been fed lately (lie) so they will keep feeding the cowbird.

I have seen babies of various species that were unable to fly climbing (hopping really) from branch to branch around up and down in trees. That must be what happened. He really wants to be fed! It's crazy
Cathy

Cathy I know the Cowbirds wont feed it, but the chippers will. Cowbirds may attack the chippers if they dont hear their baby being fed thats why I though a cage under where the chipper babies were would work BUT no cow bird baby this morning, it's gone again. I also only see 2 chipper babies. SO either the smallest chipper has died and is under the grass or nest in the bucket OR the strongest one has left the bucket. Either way it's not good. The 2 in the bucket still have very little to no tail feathers so I need to do every thing I can to keep them in the bucket, maybe a bigger bucket? I hate to disturb them again. Will keep you posted.

Counting the first day I saw them, Wednesday,(that may have been the day after they hatched)They COULD be 9-10 days. Possible the one baby was fed well and was ready. It was nearly taking flight when I tried to catch it. A closer look tells me that is the chipper baby that is missing, secondly I saw one of the parents taking a green worm off a bit and up in a tree. My guess is that these 2 remaining babies may not have made it had I not caused the premature fledge. Looking at the bucket they would have to be able to fly at least 6" to get out. It will be intresting none the less, to see how this all ends up. I sure hope these little ones make it.

Babies can jump out of a 6" basket easy. My thrasher babies were in a flower pot with walls at least 1 foot high.

I'd probably humanely dispatch of the cowbird.

That was illegal avice!

Joepye...I did think about it. The baby sat there in my hand looking at me, scared, cold........I couldnt. Hubby was not home or he would have. I know, I know.....other babies will die if this one lives. We may never know the fate of this baby, at least it's 3 nest mates were (so far as I know) saved. Believe it or not our Chippers outnumber the Cowbirds this year about 4 to 1.

Alex these babies are hardly even 2 inches big no way they can hop that far UP. Thrashers are HUGE compared to these babies

not illegal advice unless cowbirds are endangered.

Chipper baby #2 left today. I feel bad for the one remaining baby all alone. It is just getting its tail feathers and should be ready to go tomorrow, Sunday at the latest. The parents are still around so I know they are feeding it. I also saw a chipper baby in a tree, I don't know if it's one of the "bucket babies" but I would like to think so.

Blutarski, did you ever hear about Migratory Bird Treaty Act? Here is a quote from bluebirders favorite site :

"Like it or not, cowbirds are native, so they are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This means that eggs can not be removed from nests without a permit"

Here is a link that might be useful: Cowbird Eggs in Nestboxes

The end is here! Chipper baby #3 left the bucket late this morning! Amazing how much little feathers can grow in 24 hours. I hope the Chippers consider this a successful nesting as all 4 babies have left the nest(including a Cowbird). It's up to God now. I am confident the babies have all made it to the trees as there is no more "chippping" around the nest/bucket. God bless little flyers!