Birding/Cardinals

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Expert: - 5/19/2008


Question
I am so upset. A cardinal laid 4 eggs in a well hidden nest in a rhododendron next to my back porch.  3 of them hatched over the weekend and today the nest is empty except for the one egg that did not hatch.  What could have happened since the nest is in perfect condition (a crow?)and will she mate again this summer?  My grandchildren were looking forward to watching the pair raise these chicks and we are all upset since it would have been 3 more beautiful cardinals visiting my feeders this summer.

Answer
I thought I answered this question but I guess it did not go through. I can't tell you what happened - a crow, fox, cat, dog, squirrel, jay, snake, or who knows, took the eggs. The cardinals may or may not renest. It's early in the season so I suspect they will.

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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