You are here:

Birding/cardinal gestation period

Advertisement

Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 8/21/2011


Question
Hello,

I have a cardinal nesting in my backyard in a mulberry tree.  I have been watching the process from building to sitting on eggs.  Everything I've read says that gestation is no more than 13 days.  It's been at least two weeks, maybe even two or three days more, that the female has been sitting in the nest.  Is it possible that the eggs weren't fertilized?  If so, when would she realize that?

Thank you,
Nina

Answer
This late in the season it is quite possible that the eggs are not fertile. With Bluebirds who have several broods a season we usually wait 21 days and then destroy the eggs and remove the nest. However cardinals usually have one brood so this nest is unusual. I would just leave things alone and let nature take its course. Contact me again if you have Bluebird houses. Bluebird Bob.

Birding

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.