skip to main content

Help from PHoebe people

carola_gw(Z3NH)

13 years ago

Sorry if this ends up being a repost-thought the first went through but guess didn't.
Anyhow, have what I am pretty positive are a pair of PHoebes that have built a nest under the eaves of my house.They have been hanging around the nest for a few weeks but today seem to be checking it out more -like every 10 min. or so and look like they are expecting something to happen.? maybe eggs hatching? I know very little about wild birds-I thought they sat on their eggs like a hen but apparently they don't.
I don't hear any chirping from the nest-will I if the eggs hatch?The parents seem to be expecting something!!!!
If the eggs actually made it through our freak late spring snowstorm without freezing will I hear chirps if they hatch?
If I do hear chirps how long before the parents kick the babies out? Reason I am asking is that I own a cat that goes out only when I am out and isn't that interested in birds but would expect if some little fledgling was flapping around on the ground that instinct would take over. I would keep him in during that time if I knew what it was.
Also the nest is above some hanging planters that I have out there-if the eggs actually hatch and a baby falls out could I just put back into one of the planters.The ladder I have doesn't quite reach the nest.Will the parents find it?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Elly_NJ
13 years ago
Eastern phoebes are cool little birds to have around. Phoebes have nested near or on people's structures as long as people have had structures.

The basic timeline is this:

Eggs incubated - about 16 days

You hear them beg for food but it's not loud and kind of sweet. They kind of twitter softly only when the parent lands on the nest of feed them.

Young leave the nest (not "kicked out") after about 18 days and do live in bushes and trees near the nest for some 2 weeks while they learn to hunt for themselves.

Then the parents have a second brood.

Cats will kill birds in your backyard, and you're right, especially fledglings.

The nest does not need any help other than keeping cats indoors. That would be all summer.
catherinet
13 years ago
I've had phoebes nesting in various places on my house for a couple years. What well-behaved birds they are! There was a nest under the eave on our open front porch this spring.

I kept my eye on it (at a distance) for quite awhile, while mom sat on the eggs. I never heard the babies, nor did I ever see their heads pop up. There were a few days when I saw both parents increase their activity in the yard. I was a little concerned that something had gotten the babies, since the nest became empty and I had never seen the babies.

But......I have seen a young phoebe around yard since then, so I'm assuming they are just very secretive/quiet birds....at least in their child-rearing.

The reason I knew it was a young phoebe was that its chest/abdomen was darker and it was a little smaller than an adult.
I love these birds. I think they really keep my yard's mosquito population down. And they have such good manners! :)
Related Discussions
HELP! Need help from Northern Pond People
Q
Comments (4)
You definitely want to get it out of the bag. The trick is to get it to sprout (since it's almost early spring anyway! :D), so you need warm temps (75-86F seems to be the going rate) and a sunny location. A cool trick learned from the Chinese is floating the tuber in a planting pot filled halfway with soil and a few inches of water. Yep, just let it float in the water above the soil. You have to change the water out every few days, though, so it doesn't get stinky and start rotting the tuber. After it sprouts (3-4 leaves), hold the tuber down on the soil with a rock. It has roots that will grab the soil and secure it there. You keep adding water to the pot as the plant grows, until it's big enough (6-7 aerial leaves, which arrive after the little floater leaves) and warm enough to put in the pond. Hope that helps some. :) Brenda
...See More
Need help from experienced cooks and recipe people!!!
Q
Comments (17)
Rosemary..I had to smile when I read your post. I was a cook for 46 years-had 2 of my own places, as did my mom & worked in many area eateries. Old River Rice is the ONLY rice we'd use for our rice pudding-can't tell you how many gallons I've made of it over the years. Old River is a company that hails from the south US-but when I lived in FL the past14 years-you couldn't find it anywhere. I'd 'stock up' each summer here in PA at my local grocery store & take it back to FL. Never had it w/cherries but a restaurant in NYC featured a large pork chop with Plum sauce over rice..it was delish! Your hubs will be surprised, I'm sure.
...See More
I Need Help From People Who Use Bread Machines!
Q
Comments (12)
I don't heat my liquids at all. I always have good results. I never use extra gluten or special yeast. I buy my yeast in bulk at my local health food store, and normally I use a tablespoon of yeast for a two pound loaf. I keep my yeast in the refrigerator, or, if I have bought a really large bag of it, I will keep most of it in the freezer. If you're using whole wheat flour, add a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. You won't taste it and it helps the rise. If the recipe calls for white flour AND whole wheat, always make the white flour be bread flour. If I don't use bread flour, I add about half a cup of mashed potatoes (or 1/4 cup of instant mashed potato flakes) into the mixture. The problem might be your recipe, might be calling for too much or too little fat and sugar. If you have a failure with a recipe, try a different one next time. Barnmom, it looks like you might've had a little too much liquid. If I'm trying a new recipe I will watch it while the machine kneads the dough. If the dough does not form up into a nice ball during the kneading process, cleaning the sides and bottom of the can, then it will rise up nicely but fall during baking. Hope this helps! --Ilene
...See More
Need help from the plate people
Q
Comments (16)
I've kind of settled into a logic for breaking plates. If it's so pretty (like that one), I leave it until I think it is the perfect piece for something and then it gets cut up. In the meantime, I just enjoy it. I have also found some of my stuff on ebay for big prices. But does it ever get sold is the question. Just yesterday, I was looking at Dec. Good Housekeeping and there was an article about perfect gifts. There were plates for 9.95 that I had bought for $1 and cut up the day before. Fortunately, mine were a different color so that makes it ok, right?
...See More
carola_gw(Z3NH)
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for replies- I am totally happy to have them nesting here especially since I heard they eat skeeters and ticks!
I do think there are babies in the nest but not totally sure-Thought I heard a soft faint twitter of some kind off and on and momma would fly into the nest after I heard it and chirp.But unfortunately a car would drive by just as I thought I was hearing it so not really sure.Will keep a listen out though.
Between these two sweeping about and the hummers buzzing around sometimes I feel like I'm at Logan airport.So far no one has collided yet or into me.LOL
Thanks for the estimated time intervals re:nesting etc. Will make sure kitty is in.

Related Stories

LIVING ROOMS A Living Room Miracle With $1,000 and a Little Help From Houzzers

By Mitchell Parker

Frustrated with competing focal points, Kimberlee Dray took her dilemma to the people and got her problem solved

SMALL HOMES 16 Smart Ideas for Small Homes From People Who’ve Been There

By Mitchell Parker

Got less than 1,000 square feet to work with? These design-savvy homeowners have ideas for you

HALLWAYS 10 Neat Hallway Tips to Steal From Tidy People

Too laid-back to be truly orderly? Here are some practical ideas for managing a messy entry while embracing the lived-in look

ORGANIZING Stick to Your Resolutions: Help From a Pro Organizer

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Accomplish your goals — from decluttering to rediscovering fitness — for real this time

COLOR Paint-Picking Help and Secrets From a Color Expert

By Tiffany Carboni

Advice for wall and trim colors, what to always do before committing and the one paint feature you should completely ignore

LIFE You Said It: ‘Put It Back’ If It Won’t Help Your House, and More Wisdom

By Becky Harris

Highlights from the week include stopping clutter from getting past the door, fall planting ideas and a grandfather’s gift of love

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Help Your Home Fit Into the Landscape

Use color, texture and shape to create a smooth transition from home to garden

MOST POPULAR 9 Real Ways You Can Help After a House Fire

By Alison Hodgson

Suggestions from someone who lost her home to fire — and experienced the staggering generosity of community

PETS How to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor

By Alison Hodgson

Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time

GREEN DECORATING 8 Questions to Help You See Through Green Hype

By Laura Gaskill

With the ecofriendly bandwagon picking up some dubious passengers, here's how to tell truly green products and services from the imposters

Sponsored

More Discussions

ID OWL IN S.E. MICHIGAN z5b

0