Expert: Dianna - 5/17/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi. The other day one of the bird nests with blue eggs speckled with red dots, fell from a tree. I had been watching the nest closely because of kids and cats, The nest was only about 4 feet up in the tree.
I brought the nest in-and have been keeping it warm and turning the eggs frequently, but I know they are much better off with their mother. I am nervous about putting the nest back because everyone says the mom will kill them since I have been touching them. Yet, I see her out-side my window every day and I think she really misses them and wants them back. I want to give them back. But I don't want her to kill them. What can I do?
Thankyou
Cheryl

ANSWER: Hello Cheryl and thank you for your post.
If the mother is looking for her nest, then by all means, do put it back for her.  It is actually a myth that most wild birds will kill the babies once they are touched by humans.  The worst they would do is abandon the young, however, if they have not hatched yet, there is a great possibility that the mother will continue to sit on them and hatch them without any problem.
If you see that she has abandoned the nest, then you can bring it back in and finish hatching the eggs and raising the babies until they are old enough to be returned into the wild.

Please let me know how it goes.

Good luck and God Bless.
Dianna

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

QUESTION: Hi Dianna,
I know you must be really busy at this time of year, so I promise to leave you to your work, after this message. It's just that I couldn't wait to tell you what happened to the nest I returned to the tree!
I snuck out there at 6am today-and I saw the mom adding sticks and leaves to her nest-And I'm pretty sure the dad was the one hollering at me as I got closer.
So I backed off and watched them for awhile, and it was the most awesome feeling!! I learned some very important lessons from you, and I wanted to thank you for that one more time!
Sincerly
Cheryl   :o)

Answer
Hello again Cheryl,
You are so ver welcome for the advise!  I am so glad that the parents have resumed taking care of the eggs.  Thank you for letting me know.  I really appreciate it when I get good news such as this.

Please feel free to ask any more questions.  I will be happy to answer them if I can.

God Bless.
Dianna