Earlier this week, our Psychologist, Brent, discovered a bird's nest with five baby birds under the awning of our building. Conveniently, this nest is right outside his office window....
It has been fascinating this week watching these birds. I am amazed at how much they have grown in just a couple of days. When we first discovered the nest, they each had plenty of room. Now, they are all situated sideways and top of one another. Which made us concerned that they would soon be hopping out of the nest. They are fully covered with feathers, and that is next step of their lives, but we worried about them falling onto the hard (hot!) concrete below!
I brainstormed this idea with my mom, the only bird expert I know. We discussed what the birds looked like and she tried to help me figure out what kind of bird they were (unfortunately, my recollection of the adult bird was not very accurate). I went to take another look, and stopped to ask my boss if they knew what kind of bird it was, only to learn after discussing this for about a half hour with my mom, they already knew the answer! A barn swallow.
Anyhow, back to the problem of the babies falling on the concrete. My mom suggested we put some hay down, but we are all city folk, we don't happen to keep hay laying around. Ok, TECHNICALLY I do have some hay at home, but that is expensive (comparably) hay for my prairie dogs to EAT. I discussed the problem with my brilliant boss, who came up with the fantastic idea of using shredded paper! But, we have a new problem, won't it blow away and make a mess? Again, my boss came up with the solution of putting the shredded paper in a box. So, then I was worried to babies wouldn't be able to hop out, but she suggested a paper box top which is shallow enough, especially with the shredded paper, for them to easily hop out.
Another fascination is to watch the mother and father swoop in and feed these babies. They do it while hovering like a hummingbird, as it's been a while since there was any room for THEM in the nest. They swoop in, somehow choose one of five crying, hungry babies to feed, and fly off just as quickly! For a while, we were concerned that the baby on the far left (whom we named Special Ed) wasn't getting fed. But, eventually he moved over further to the right and got some lunch.
Yesterday I was watching them when one of them did the funniest thing. He turned around, put his tail over the edge of the nest, and pooped OUT of the nest! Incredible! This baby bird has better toileting skills then my four year old pug, Pippin! Of course, this has created a large pile of poop on the concrete below, but there are worse things. Besides, who wants to live in a poopie nest?
The sad thing is, they probably won't be there when we come in on Monday. I think they are growing way to fast to stay in the nest through the weekend. I worry about what will happen to them when they leave the nest. Too big for the nest, but still inadequate fliers, this is the most dangerous part of any bird's life.
I have some pictures we will post. I've learned a lot from these little baby birds.
It has been fascinating this week watching these birds. I am amazed at how much they have grown in just a couple of days. When we first discovered the nest, they each had plenty of room. Now, they are all situated sideways and top of one another. Which made us concerned that they would soon be hopping out of the nest. They are fully covered with feathers, and that is next step of their lives, but we worried about them falling onto the hard (hot!) concrete below!
I brainstormed this idea with my mom, the only bird expert I know. We discussed what the birds looked like and she tried to help me figure out what kind of bird they were (unfortunately, my recollection of the adult bird was not very accurate). I went to take another look, and stopped to ask my boss if they knew what kind of bird it was, only to learn after discussing this for about a half hour with my mom, they already knew the answer! A barn swallow.
Anyhow, back to the problem of the babies falling on the concrete. My mom suggested we put some hay down, but we are all city folk, we don't happen to keep hay laying around. Ok, TECHNICALLY I do have some hay at home, but that is expensive (comparably) hay for my prairie dogs to EAT. I discussed the problem with my brilliant boss, who came up with the fantastic idea of using shredded paper! But, we have a new problem, won't it blow away and make a mess? Again, my boss came up with the solution of putting the shredded paper in a box. So, then I was worried to babies wouldn't be able to hop out, but she suggested a paper box top which is shallow enough, especially with the shredded paper, for them to easily hop out.
Another fascination is to watch the mother and father swoop in and feed these babies. They do it while hovering like a hummingbird, as it's been a while since there was any room for THEM in the nest. They swoop in, somehow choose one of five crying, hungry babies to feed, and fly off just as quickly! For a while, we were concerned that the baby on the far left (whom we named Special Ed) wasn't getting fed. But, eventually he moved over further to the right and got some lunch.
Yesterday I was watching them when one of them did the funniest thing. He turned around, put his tail over the edge of the nest, and pooped OUT of the nest! Incredible! This baby bird has better toileting skills then my four year old pug, Pippin! Of course, this has created a large pile of poop on the concrete below, but there are worse things. Besides, who wants to live in a poopie nest?
The sad thing is, they probably won't be there when we come in on Monday. I think they are growing way to fast to stay in the nest through the weekend. I worry about what will happen to them when they leave the nest. Too big for the nest, but still inadequate fliers, this is the most dangerous part of any bird's life.
I have some pictures we will post. I've learned a lot from these little baby birds.
No comments:
Post a Comment