Baby birds..

Teddy001 · 06-09-2014, 02:43 AM

My deck, is a screened in patio. The door is left open so the dogs can go out. Well, I've noticed a little blue bird, has been flying in and out the screened patio, and just thought, it got confused and accidently was flying in to the screened patio. Ive seen this happen a few times, but didn't think much about it. Early this morning, I happened to step outside, and the blue little bird, had a small worm in its beak, flew inside the screened patio, hopped up on a plant stand, and climbed inside a metal water can.
After the bird flew away, I took a look in the can, and there's 2 baby birds, in a nest of twigs! They are so tiny. They must have just hatched. Does anyone know if its best not to touch the can? I wanted to move it to a cooler place, just a few feet from where it's currently at, but not sure if the mommy bird would reject the baby's if I touched the can? I did put out bird seeds, and mealworms, ( freeze dried ones) not sure if the baby's can eat them. Any suggestions on what I can set out for mommy bird to feed her baby's? It's so neat seeing how the nest was made, and the 2 tiny baby's. I'm not going to disturb them, but the sun shines on the can, and it may get very hot.

Zoopism · 06-09-2014, 03:40 AM

Maybe instead of moving the can, fin something to put up so the sun can't get to it?
I know nothing about birds, but it is always nice to see them nesting. When I was younger I had robin's nest in in the ivy.

We left them alone completely (kind of hard to since it was right by our back door) and from little I know about birds I wouldn't touch the can. Sorry I'm not much help

souffle · 06-09-2014, 03:54 AM

don't move anything as she may reject the babies. They are quite good at choosing suitable places to nest though and as long as you ignore it and take care with looking at the babies they should be fine

It's best they eat natural food and it sounds like she is catching things for her chicks anyway. In they UK we are advised not to feed during the nesting season as the parents have plenty of natural food to forage for.

racinghamster · 06-09-2014, 05:34 AM

How lovely.

But no, DON`T touch anything! The parent birds know what they are doing and the baby birds will be attended by the parents a lot, so if you can keep their access free and easy, great! Make sure they have a shallow dish of water in the garden close by but in a safe place where cats or other predators can` pounce. I use a shallow plastic plant pot holder. Place a stone in the centre and fill it with water. x

Teddy001 · 06-09-2014, 09:09 AM

Thanks everyone

. It's so neat, I can hear the baby's chirping. Momma bird has been bringing her babies food since early this morning, she keeps flying in and out, with something in her beak. I just put water in a shallow lid, on the table, by the nest. I put out mealworms a few hours ago, and they are all gone.

Angie B · 06-09-2014, 12:56 PM

How fantastic is that?! You lucky thing! Personally I would strongly advise against moving the can as the mom could panic and desert the nest. Someone above suggested putting something up perhaps as like a sun-shade which is a great idea but make sure it's discreet i.e. not brightly coloured as that also may panic mom.

Enjoy your young feathered family!

Teddy001 · 06-09-2014, 01:40 PM

Mama birds work so hard caring for their baby's! It's been non stop all day, with mama bird bringing baby's food. Looks like she brings them little worms, and if anyone's outside, she waits on a ledge, and chirps to the baby's. I've never seen this in real life. I was able to put up a piece of cardboard to block the direct sun, and turned on the outside ceiling fan. I'm taking my dogs outside, so I can keep an eye on them. I do not want them to harm the mama bird, as she skips along the deck, then flys up to the water can.

.

Zoopism · 06-10-2014, 12:44 AM

Glad to hear everything is going well

I want to put up bird boxes in my area for them but I don't own a garden

racinghamster · 06-10-2014, 01:27 AM

The chicks will fledge once they are fully feathered and strong enough to fly, so you will be able to see their little heads peeking out and one at a time, fledging! This is when you need to watch for cats or other predators like crows who may grab a baby bird if one can`t quite fly right away and lands on the ground. Mummy bird will be around keeping a close eye on her babies, but sometimes it`s a good idea to keep a watch out for her. x

Angie B · 06-10-2014, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoopism

Glad to hear everything is going well

I want to put up bird boxes in my area for them but I don't own a garden

I don't think that you need a garden to put up a bird box, just the right kind of wall area. Have you googled it? It's amazing what info one can find on google! You may be pleasantly surprised as to where a bird box can go.