Birding/wild finch

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Expert: Julia Booth - 5/17/2008


Question
We went to dinner tonight 5 2 day old finch were in the nest.  The mother always fly off while we come and go but returns as quickly. When we returned tonight 2 hours later all were gone without a trace. Looked on the ground all around but didn't see. Did the mother move them? Could they have been eaten? What is your educated guess. 4 children are very sad! thank you

Answer
If you're positive that they only hatched two days ago, there is no way for the mother to move them.

If they were large enough to leave the nest, if even prematurely, they could have done so on their own.

Yes, they could have been eaten. It does happen. Depending on where you live -snake, lizard, possum, raccoon, cat, a larger bird etc.

Take a look inside the nest for signs of (gulp) carnage.

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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