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Birding/Baby house finch back in nest - will mom return?

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 6/21/2011


Question
Hi!
We had a house finch nest in a hanging basket outside our front door.  All 5 eggs hatched and fledged.

Sadly, one baby bird seemed to have a harder time than the others.  It fledged but remained in the same spot on our front sidewalk for 12+ hours.  I put on a glove and returned it to its nest, where at least it will be less vulnerable to predators.  

It doesn't appear to have wing damage, but it's a bit unclear (I tried to leave it alone as much as possible).

Will the mother and father finch return and feed the baby, or will they abandon the nest now that the other chicks have fledged?  

It's 11pm and she is not in or near the nest.  The baby is still in there and is alive.  Wondering at what point I should try to give it to wildlife experts for rehab and/or feed it.

Thank you!

Answer
In situations like this where there is a weakling we recommend that you let nature take its course so it does not get into the gene pool. Mother nature does this to keep the species strong. The birds know this too which is why weaklings are abandoned. Bluebird Bob.

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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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