Bird Species:
When Taken:
Taken August 7, 2010
Where Taken:
This was taken in a Bradford Pear tree in my backyard, in Carthage, Missouri. This robin couple has been building a nest in my backyard each year for several years. Last year a snake got to their eggs, and they moved to a higher spot in a different tree. But this year they came back "home."
Advice
- Patience is key when catching them feeding their young. Also as little hubbub around the nesting sight as possible. I put yarn and hair and fluff from pet toys out for them to use as nesting materials. Also calcium is important for nesting birds, so if you fix boiled eggs, you can scatter the egg shells around for them. I do and they disappear in minutes.
Melissa Mayntz, Birding / Wild Birds Guide, says:
Many songbirds share parenting duties, and it's not unusual to see one parent watching over the eggs while another goes off to forage for food; then they switch positions. Similarly, you'll often see one parent bringing food to the nest not just for the young birds, but for the brooding parent as well. Putting out eggshells and a variety of foods is a great way to help out nesting birds.
