Expert: Roger Lederer - 7/10/2007

Question
QUESTION: "I just noticed a Mockingbird laid 3 eggs in a nest outside of my house so today
went out and bought suet and broke up apples for Mama to feed on, and when I
came home the eggs were gone and there is no sight of Mama! What happened?"


ANSWER: I can't tell you exactly what happened but if the nest is there and the eggs are gone, some predator apparently got to them - jay, crow, cat, raccoon, whatever. There is no need to feed the birds this time of year as there is plenty of natural food around.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I did not realize other birds would eat eggs, I thought it was a snake. Do you think she will come back to her nest and lay eggs or will she abandon forever?

Answer
Snakes often get the blame when it is usually something else. I can't say if the Mockingbird will come back - all depends on she has nested before, what the weather is, where in the country you live, what the conditions are around the nest, etc. My guess would be that she will not.