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Birding/Cardinal Nest Update and Question

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Expert: Julia Booth - 5/11/2008


Question
We take a quick peak in the nest when the mother is not there, about a week ago one of the hatchlings hatched, however, the other two eggs are still in the nest and have not hatched.  The question is will they hatch?

Answer
If there are baby cardinals inside those eggs, they will hatch eventually. If the eggs are duds, then they won't. I have no way of knowing which and neither do you, until you wait and see.

Normally, the eggs all hatch on the same day, unless there was some delay or interference in their incubation. Sometimes human interference can cause eggs to hatch at different times and babies to fledge sooner than they should.  

Birding

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Julia Booth

Expertise

I can answer questions about bird identification (by sight or sound), behavior, distribution, population, conservation, mating, nesting, fledging and feeding. I do have some practical knowledge about foreign species, but identification skills are limited in that arena. Bear in mind that as much as I know, it's possible that at least some of you will ask a question that I am unable to answer. At which point I would direct you to wherever or whomever I thought could provide you with that information.

Experience

I have 15 years birding experience in Southern California.

Organizations
Audubon Society

Education/Credentials
My education is in art and photography -but I have a substantial portfolio of nature related work.

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