Expert: Julia Booth - 6/23/2008

Question
We have a nest of baby birds.  Their mom has been feeding them for the last week or so.  There are two brightly colored birds who keep flying by the nest.  I'm not sure if they have scared away the mom bird or if she is just out getting food.  Is there anything we can do to help the mom.  It would be heartbreaking if the chicks didn't make it.  Thanks.

Answer
Okay, without knowing what kind of bird either of them are -it's hard for me to say what's going on. You may be mistaking their behavior for something that it isn't. Different bird species have drastically varying nesting behavior -which for some can include both parents or other females joining in the feeding.

Can you tell me what color the bright birds are? How large? How do they vary in size and color from the ones that are nesting? Do they come and go frequently? Do they make a lot of noise?
Is there any chance you can show me a photo- even if the quality is bad, it will help me.