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Birding/assisting feeding
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Question
I have a birdhouse right next to my living room window.A pair of wrens moved in. I can now hear the baby chicks faintly when I get close to the birdhouse. Only one parent has been around this past day. There is another wren nest in my yard and others nearby. What are baby wrens fed? I was considering assisting the parent by placing tiny crikets ( from a pet store) or maggots ( from a bait shop) near the nest for the parent to hopefully see and use. The chicks demand so much food , having just one parent limits their chances. What food could I posible supply for the wren to give to the chicks? And should I even attempt it? Thank you for your assistance!
Believe it or not, one parent does very well in raising a family unless there is very bad wet or cold weather and a shortage of food. In cases like that sometimes both parents will abandon eggs and sometimes even babies to save themselves for the future. I would do nothing as any disturbance might cause a problem. Contact me at walshaw1@cox.net if you have or plan to have Bluebirds.
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Answers by Expert:
Bluebird Bob Walshaw
Expertise
I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.
Experience
I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.
Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance
Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World
Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.
Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.
Past/Present Clients
Many
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