Helping Hand?
Posted by Jimmy Deuce on May 28, 2006
Q: There is a bird nest in our trash can that has robin eggs in it. But the only bird that goes in or comes out (It has a lid that has been left slightly cracked open for the bird to get in & out) is a black bird. I heard that some birds will foster parent other birds eggs, is this the case?
Habitat: suburban/yard
State: Illinois
Habitat: suburban/yard
A: Your bird eggs aren't Robin eggs, they're European Starling eggs! Starlings are hole nesters so sounds like your Starling family chose your garbage can to build its nest in a place a Robin would never choose. Starlings have pale blueish eggs so the color has probably thrown you off. It would be very unusual for a bird to "adopt" another bird's nest/eggs but I suppose it has happened. Thanks for asking.
John Wiessinger ( May 28, 2006)