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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 6/11/2010


Question
I have a wreath on my front porch and for the second time this season, some finches made a nest in it and had babies.  The first batch fledged on Mother's Day.  Now I have the second batch of very young baby finches and their mother has been gone an entire day!  Very unusual for this one.  Usually, every time I go to the front door, she is on the nest.  This morning, I can usually hear that it's feeding time, but she is no where to be found and the baby birds have their heads sticking up looking for breakfast.  

If she doesn't come back, is there anything I can do?  Can I feed them?

Answer
A predator may have gotten her which is not unusual. They have many predators which is why birds have so many young. Predators get the sick, weak, slow and the dumb, thus keeping the species strong. Please do not try to feed them. It is illegal, and they will bond to you and never learn to forage, recognize predators and be successful in the wild. Please let nature take its course. If you can't stand to do this, call around to bird and wildlife associations to find a bird rehabilitator. You can also contact http://www.sialis.org/emergency.htm

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Bluebird Bob Walshaw

Expertise

I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.

Experience

I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.

Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance

Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World

Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.

Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.

Past/Present Clients
Many

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