Birding/Cardinal nest

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Expert: - 5/18/2007


Question
I was clearing old leaves from our yard and looked into a shrub where I saw a cardinal sitting on her nest - when I peered in, she flew out and I quickly left. My worry is that she may abandon her nest on account of me. I did not touch it or disturb it, I was just very close. Is this a situation where she may abandon?  

Answer
Chloe - you scared her but one disturbance will not cause her to abandon her nest. Even touching her nest won't cause any permanent damage. Mama Cardinals are not going to abandon their babies with a little disturbance. Constant disturbance, maybe, but certainly not one event. I have studied lots of birds and even took the eggs and babies out of the nest to weigh them (only a few times over three weeks) and the parents did not abandon. Not to worry. Roger Lederer at Ornithology.com

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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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