Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/2/2009

Question
QUESTION: We have watched our cardinals care for nest and eggs for a week or so.  Babies just hatched.  I have seen the male return to feed a grub once today.  He didn't stay long and all babies weren't fed.  Mother was on nest earlier, but I haven't seen her for hours.  Is this normal?  It is in the 50's here outside Chicago.  When should I be more concerned?

ANSWER: This is perfectly normal. Parents rarely bring enough food to bring to all babies at once. Unless you are watching the nest constantly, the parents can easily feed and leave. Also, however, if you are watching from a place where the parents can see or hear  you, you are too close and probably disturbing them, which will keep them away from the nest. It's almost always best to keep your distance and let nature takes its course. I understand your concern, but most likely things are just fine.

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

QUESTION: Mr. Lederer,

Will the mother sit on them overnight?  I think they are going to freeze.  Since the last question, the male returned with a grub, sat on nest edge, flew away.  I am not viewing them where they can see or hear me.  Do you think the nestlings have died?

Answer
The mother should sit on them overnight. I have no idea if the nestlings have died as I simply can't tell from my place on the other end of a computer. If the male came with a grub and then flew away, most likely he was frightened by something; otherwise he would feed the young. If the young are alive, the parents will take care of them unless something happens to them. If the parents do not return, the young will probably die.
Here's the dilemma. If you decide to rescue the babies, unless you are very experienced, they will most likely die anyway because it is VERY difficult to raise wild bird young. And you are taking a chance that the parents will return and you might actually do them more harm than good by trying to raise them. On the other hand, they might die of inattention by the parents for whatever reason.
My philosophy - let nature take its course. What you are observing happens hundreds of thousands of times each year across the US. What most people do not realize is that the mortality of young birds is very high - like 60%. The chances of a young songbird making it from an egg to one year of age is about 10-25% at best.
So if they die, yes it is sad and unfortunate, but not at all unusual. May not make you feel any better about it, and I understand how you feel, but I hope that at least explains things.