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Birding/Nest with baby sparrows

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Expert: - 6/28/2007


Question
A female sparrow made a nest about 9 days ago in the place the water drains into after it rains!! I see the mother and father sparrows go into three little holes to get to them!! Lately we have not been getting any rain accept drizzle. I am afraid that if it storms the babies and mother will drown in the pipes! And I'm also afraid that the mother sparrow will have trouble getting them to start flying from the opening because right under it is patio floor should I put padding down so if babies fall the will not die?? Thank you VERY MUCH!!!!

Answer
Seems actually that things are OK as long as there is no rain. Baby sparrows do not fly after leaving the nest- their feathers are not well enough developed. THey will jump out of the nest just fine and the parents will take care of them for about 10 days until they can fly. I don't think you need to worry.

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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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