Expert: Roger Lederer - 4/25/2010

Question
Hello.  I'm concerned about the cardinal nest, in my little hibiscus tree, on my front porch.  It's now filled with four little eggs, and Mother cardinal seems to have settled in.  My concern is that my four hibiscus trees/plants will soon be blooming.  Since they will attract bees, I'm wondering if Mother Cardinal will be frightened off?  Should I pluck off this plants flowers, to divert the bees?  Thank you!  Julie  PLEASE DON'T USE MY EMAIL FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE BUT TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION!

Answer
I don't think the bees will bother the birds. If there are four eggs, she should be incubating and there will be young in two weeks. Mother birds aren't easily frightened by insects, especially if she has young in the nest. If you want to avoid the bees, you can certainly pluck the flowers, but it isn't necessary. Besides, Cardinals do eat bees and they feed their young exclusively on insects. It's only later when the young are a month or so old that they begin to eat seeds.

By the way, as an expert, I don't get your personal e-mail, so I couldn't respond to it if I wanted to. I wouldn't anyway, but I appreciate your concern for privacy.