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Birding/Cardinal hatchlings

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Expert: - 4/17/2010


Question
We have a nest outside our bedroom window and have been watching the birds from nest building to now 3 hatchlings in the bottom of the nest which appeared around Fri. I only know they are there because I quickly got a photo when Mom left the nest. They appear lifeless, yet she continues to sit on them and seems to be grooming or feeding them on occasion. Is it possible they are dead?

Answer
I can't give you a definitive answer. Of course it is possible that they are dead, but it is possible that they are alive as well. If the mother is grooming or feeding them, they are certainly alive. For the first 5-7 days the young tend to keep a low profile but become more active as they age. If they are dead, however, the mother may still sit on them for a few days. I would find it unusual that three young would all die and the mother continue to care for them.

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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