Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/13/2007

Question
A few weeks ago I stumbled across what I believe is a house finch nest with 5 eggs in it in our hanging flower pot on the front porch. I have been watching the mom and dad come and go to the nest and a few times started the mom by going out onto the porch, but I've tried to stay away as much as possible. Anyway, I noticed the last few days I haven't seen much of the mom or dad and this morning peaked in on the nest. There was one baby that was definitely alive and another that looked near death. Do you think the parents abandoned them? Then just now I went to go see if the mom bird was there and instead I saw a blue jay pecking at the babies. I knocked on the window to scare him away, but he didn't stop. He then grabbed one of the babies and flew away with it. Is this normal? Did he want to eat it? I feel so bad for the babies... is there anything I can or should do at this point? Thanks for your help.

Answer
Blue Jays do prey on the eggs and young of smaller birds. This may seem cruel, but it is not at all unusual. It's just the way of nature. Blue Jays have to survive too. Mortality of young birds is very high and predation is one reason. Other reasons are starvation, climate change, storms, etc. There is nothing you can or should do at this point. It is sad, but it is also normal. Thanks for your concern.