On April 13, I noticed a chickadee going in and out of birdhouse that was hanging from a tree in my front yard. I also heard babies -something I hadn't heard before - so I figured they had just hatched. Today I noticed some dark feathers coming out of a small drainage hole at the bottom of the birdhouse. It's a small hole, but I'm worried that a baby might be stuck. Should I check to see if everything is okay in there? The parents are still going in and out and I still hear the babies. I'm just not sure why there are feathers coming out of that hole. I'm also worried that if I open the door, the babies might be big enough to hop out. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
6 replies to this topic
#2
fisherman1313
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Posted 22 April 2012 - 07:49 PM
The feathers you see sticking out through the drain hole are most likely part of the nest, many bird species line their nests with feathers for insulation. You can probably check the nest, though, without bothering the birds too much. The parents will just wait for you to leave and then resume feeding the chicks. And if any of the chicks should happen to hop out while you're doing your inspection, just pick them up and put them back. If you're worried about the parents abandonong the nest because they can smell your scent on the chicks, don't be. Most birds have a very weak sense of smell and the idea that a bird will abandon it's nest because it can smell a human is a myth.
New Year's Resolutions:
Get my lifelist to 300 (at the time of the original writing-293, currently-294)
Finally get Mountain Quail and Vesper Sparrow
Top my previous single year best (2011-253) I'm at 210 as of 6/11.
Latest Lifer(s):Cassin's Kingbird, Basalt Campgrounds, San Luis Reservoir SRA, Merced County, CA, 6/3/13; Harris's Sparrow, Oka Ponds, Campbell, CA, 1/1/13
Favorite Recent Bird(s):Pileated Woodpecker, North Grove Trail, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Calaveras County, CA 6/8/13; Cassin's Kingbird (Lifer), Varied Thrush, Basalt Campgrounds, San Luis Reservoir SRA, Merced County, CA; Lesser Nighthawk, Santa Fe Grade Rd., Merced County, CA, 6/3/13; Yellow-breasted Chat, Knights Ferry Rec Area, Knights Ferry, CA; 5/20/13; Blue-winged Teal (Pair), Peregrine Falcon, Sanderling (3),Franklin's Gull (9), Modesto Wastewater Treatment Facility, Modesto, CA, 5/12/13; MacGillivray's Warber, Adair Rd., Modesto, CA, 5/5/13; Long-eared Owl, Mercy Hot Springs, Fresno County, CA
#3
creeker
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creeker
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Posted 22 April 2012 - 08:24 PM
It's probably best just to leave it alone.
Creationist Birder
#4
JimBob
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Little SuperBirder
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Posted 23 April 2012 - 12:18 PM
I agree with creeker. I once checked on a mourning dove nest and when I did all the babies (ready to) fledged!
ABA list: 295 Latest: Swamp Sparrow
2013: 220
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http://www.flickr.co...s/89595711@N08/
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#5
Lisa M.
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Lisa M.
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Posted 23 April 2012 - 07:55 PM
Thank you to those who responded. Upon closer inspection, and without disturbing the babies, I noticed that what was coming out of the hole was some fur and a few feathers (obviously nesting material). I guess I'm feeling a bit overprotective. I never thought something would take up residence in that house since it has remained empty since I got it about two years ago. I'm used to having birds nest in my yard but not in a birdhouse. Now I will have to wait and worry until they all leave the nest. 
If anyone can give me some advice on when and how I should clean the birdhouse once it is empty (will they want to use it again right away?) I would appreciate that as well.
If anyone can give me some advice on when and how I should clean the birdhouse once it is empty (will they want to use it again right away?) I would appreciate that as well.
#6
fisherman1313
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Support Warbler Neck Awareness
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Posted 24 April 2012 - 05:40 AM
Here are a couple of links you may find useful.
http://www.sialis.org/clean.htm
http://www.ehow.com/...nest-boxes.html
http://www.sialis.org/clean.htm
http://www.ehow.com/...nest-boxes.html
New Year's Resolutions:
Get my lifelist to 300 (at the time of the original writing-293, currently-294)
Finally get Mountain Quail and Vesper Sparrow
Top my previous single year best (2011-253) I'm at 210 as of 6/11.
Latest Lifer(s):Cassin's Kingbird, Basalt Campgrounds, San Luis Reservoir SRA, Merced County, CA, 6/3/13; Harris's Sparrow, Oka Ponds, Campbell, CA, 1/1/13
Favorite Recent Bird(s):Pileated Woodpecker, North Grove Trail, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Calaveras County, CA 6/8/13; Cassin's Kingbird (Lifer), Varied Thrush, Basalt Campgrounds, San Luis Reservoir SRA, Merced County, CA; Lesser Nighthawk, Santa Fe Grade Rd., Merced County, CA, 6/3/13; Yellow-breasted Chat, Knights Ferry Rec Area, Knights Ferry, CA; 5/20/13; Blue-winged Teal (Pair), Peregrine Falcon, Sanderling (3),Franklin's Gull (9), Modesto Wastewater Treatment Facility, Modesto, CA, 5/12/13; MacGillivray's Warber, Adair Rd., Modesto, CA, 5/5/13; Long-eared Owl, Mercy Hot Springs, Fresno County, CA
#7
EyesOnTheSky
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EyesOnTheSky
Posted 25 April 2012 - 12:55 PM
When I was about 14 I wanted to look into a Robins nest that had been built in our garage. It was too high for me to see in so I got a hand-held mirror and held it above the nest so I could see down into it. To my horror all the chicks popped straight up like a f'ing jack-n-the-box and most of them ended up on the ground. I ran inside to see if anyone could help me but when I came back all the chicks were gone. Not sure whatever happened to them.
I'm still mortified.
I'm still mortified.
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Blackburnian Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
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