Mother Has Abandoned Her Nest and Babies

by Georgia

I have a nest that was made by both momma and daddy birds. After the nest was made, only momma stayed behind to lay 3 eggs and watch over the nest, which happens to be right in front of our front door. The nest is high on a pillar. Momma bird has not been seen since last Thursday.

I figured she had abandoned the nest and was going to take the nest and eggs and place them out in the woods. However, when I got the ladder to go up get the nest, I heard chirping!

Two eggs have hatched but only one baby is chirping and crying for food. Mouth is wide open waiting for momma.

What do I do? Leave the nest to see if momma comes back? I haven't touched the nest or eggs, only "looked" into the nest to see if there were eggs. That was a little over a week ago. I live in Crawford County Georgia. Any suggestions?

Comments

Although Mother Nature can seem cruel at times, I wouldn't interfere.

For example, possibly a Cowbird could have laid an egg in the nest (which is what cowbirds do) and so the mother has abandoned it. The cowbird chick often starves out the legitimate babies in the nest.
Cruel as it may seem, it is survival of the fittest in the kingdom of birds, and I would leave the nest alone.

Susan

Reply

I wish it was true that a cowbird had done so. But we know that there weren't any cowbird eggs. All eggs were the same. First chick died, second one was barely hanging on yesterday, also dead now. Third egg still not hatched.
My guess, momma abandoned nest, or something happened to her and she couldn't make it back. She was never out of sight of the nest, and never left unless she was frightened by us.
I've attached some photos. I can't figure out what kind of bird she was. The nest is about 8-10" high. Still have not interfered with it.
Sincerely,
Becky

Try, everyday, to be the person your dog thinks you are.


Comment

Female birds are so much harder to identify. This looks like a Flycatcher's nest. They like to make their nest on ledges and use moss and dried grass. This might be an Eastern Wood-Pewee flycatcher. However, they usually lay 4 to 5 eggs.

I wonder what harm came to the mother. Sad.

Susan