Expert: Julia Booth - 3/22/2008

Question
QUESTION: I live in the warm area of Palm Springs, had the joy of watching a very small bird-mostly black with white tummy,
build a nest in an ornamental bird house- lay 5 eggs two days ago and haven't seen it again. Will the eggs hatch?
Perhaps they are not live???
Any info would be appreciated- Thank you !

ANSWER: Sounds like a Black Phoebe.

Usually both the male and female participate in the nesting. The laying of the eggs takes place over several days, but if you say that you haven't seen the birds at all, it could be that something happened to them -they got injured or killed. It's odd for a bird to abandon her eggs so soon after laying them. Keep an eye out, they might just be coming to the nest when you aren't home. Don't touch the eggs for now.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: You are great!!! Sooo fast!!! I work from home and look out on nest all day from my office- there was only one bird building-
will the eggs die? or hatch by themselves and die?? I couldn't stand to see that! Can I help? Thank you !

Answer
I just happened to be sitting here...

Unfortunately, if the parents do not return soon, the eggs will not survive. They need the warmth from their mother's body.

Phoebes have been known to have as many as three broods in one spring, so maybe they will try again.

Julia