Expert: Julia Booth - 5/1/2008

Question
My Mom and Dad had a female cardinal build a nest just outside their back room of their house in a hibuscus plant (very low traffic area).  The female cardinal layed 3 eggs - and the eggs did hatch leaving 3 baby cardinals in the nest.  The nest was well attended - with the male cardinal bringing food to the nest when the female called for him.  After approximately 11 days my parents looked and the nest was completely empty - no mom cardinal, no dad cardinal, and no baby cardinals.  There is no sign of upset or damage to the nest.  Someone told us that sometimes baby birds are moved to other, larger nests.  Could this be possible????  Are they old enough to fly on their own at 11 days old???  Do you think a predator got into the nest and ate or destroyed the baby cardinals.  Any answers you have would be very helpful - my parents are very upset about what might have happened to the baby cardinals.  There does not seem to be any sign of the Mom and Dad cardinals either.  Thank you!

Answer
The incubation period is only 12-13 days and the young can fledge after ten. Sounds short, I know. As far as I know, they don't relocate their young during that period. I suppose it's possible that the babies were found and eaten by something -possum, raccoon or bobcat.

Yes, they can fledge after a mere 11 days.