Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 6/22/2009

Question
Hi,
I am wondering if you might be able to answer my question regarding a Cardinal nest that has lost all its inhabitants during the night.  We have been observing a nest built into a bush that backs up to our screen porch -- the nest is hidden from the outside, but we have a perfect view in from our porch side.  The mother laid 4 eggs and two have been hatched for about a week.  We have been watching the 2 babies grow and be taken care of by mom and dad.  To my horror, when I checked on them this morning, all were gone.  Mom, the 2 babies, and the two unhatched eggs. I did see dad sitting on a nearby tree.  I am worried that a predator may have gotten to them, but the nest is totally undisturbed - it seems like a squirrel would have disrupted it a bit since the bush isn't that thick and stable.  I am hoping that mom has relocated the family, but not sure that this ever happens.  The fledglings looked way to young to be on their own at this point, and what would have happened to the two unhatched eggs???
I looked on the net, but can't find any specific info -- please let me know if you can offer any insight.

Sincerely,
Gina

Answer
This is not unusual and when both eggs and babies are gone and the nest is undisturbed it is usually a snake attack. Birds have many predators which is why they have so many babies. (Bluebirds have as mant as three families a year with 15 or more young. Let me know if you also have Bluebirds and if you do and you send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net I will send you my free 20 page Bluebird book).

And don't feel bad about the loss. There is a reason for predators - they usually get the weaker and dumber birds which keeps the species srtong. Ir is nature's plan.