Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: A bird built a nest in a hanging planter with a dead plant hanging on our porch. 3 eggs hatched last Monday. On Saturday we noticed the mom was not around but there were a lot of flies. We looked in the planter and found one dead baby. We disposed of the baby and fed the other 2 baby food on a toothpick. The Mom came back yesterday and the babies seemed energetic and healthy. Today I only see one baby popping up his head and the mom rarely comes by. I haven't seen her feed them today. I'm afraid to look in the nest. It's over 100 degrees out. I read that they walk before they can fly but how do they get to the ground? How long before that happens? Can I trust the mom to take care of them? Is it too hot for them? I'm worried about them.

ANSWER: I can't tell you exactly what is going on, but first, you need to quit feeding the babies and visiting the nest. The more you disturb them the less likely they will survive. When the young are old enough they will jump to the ground and the parents will feed them there until they can fly. Let Mom and nature take over. Thanks for your concern.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Roger,  This is an unrelated question, but also about a young bird, although not a baby, it can fly, but seemingly a juvenile.  My husband was gardening a this young bird (finch, we think) just alit on his head.  He seems to have imprinted himself to my husband, and is acting somewhat distressed (or we anthropomorphizing too much) that it can't find it's mother.  The bird is on my husband's shoulder or arm, and will eat bread crumbs from his hand and drink water for a cup he's holding.  He is sticking around and if my husband goes outside, the bird will perch on him.  I just bought a little bird house and we put hay in it, but the bird hasn't gone in it yet.  Is there anything else we should be doing, and is this normal behaviour for a young bird, or might it be symptomatic of something else going on.  This bird seems to be healthy.  (I did take photos but don't have them on my computer yet, can send later if you like).

Thanks so much.
Judith

Answer
If the bird is flying, it is probably independent of its mother by now. It will not sit in a nest - its nesting time is past. Best thing to do is chase the bird away. I've seen too many birds who get attached to humans because someone raised them who end up hanging around houses only to be eaten by a cat or dog or shot by some kid with a bb gun.