Hatching eggs
Posted by Emma Miller on May 31, 2006
Q: My Mom and I found a birds nest.There are five eggs in the nest.One of the eggs has hatched.The nest has been made in a hanging basket.A couple days ago my mother noticed one of the eggs was outside the nest.She took a stick and gently pushed it back in the nest.Today she noticed an egg again outside the nest.My question is, should we intervine and make a homemade nest for that egg?We are afraid it will die if it does not get the warmth from it's mom.
-Emma
Habitat: suburban/yard
State: Ohio
Habitat: suburban/yard
A: I can't say for sure but it sounds like the mother bird does NOT want that egg in the nest. Maybe it's a Cowbird egg so it shouldn't be there at all. Cowbirds lay their eggs in other birds' nest and let those birds raise their young. So, I'd leave the egg alone and let the birds sort out what to do - they know best. Keep an eye on the nest, without disturbing it, and see what happens.
John Wiessinger ( June 1, 2006)