Mike, I live in Florida and have many mockingirds living in our yard and in the preserve behind our house. We have an umbrella tree that a pair of mockingbirds built their nest in only a few feet from the ground. There were 4 eggs and 3 of the chicks hatched. Both parents were very attentive and the chicks seemed like they were doing fine. The chicks were about 3 days old when they just disappeared. I saw them at dusk and the next day they were gone. They didn’t have any feathers and they are not on the ground around the tree. Do mockingbirds relocate their young? Or do you think a predator got them? I saw no sign of violence in the nest or around the tree. Thanks for any info. I hope they are ok.
I replied that we had the same experience. It gives me hope....
Take the Mockingbird. These babies usually come out of the nest as soon as they're feathered, but not ready to fly. We want to help, but the way to help is by not helping at all. Do not touch or pick the babies up. A baby Mockingbird may not be able to fly, but it can run very fast. And the mother and father continue to watch over and feed it. At this point, the babies have to live in the bushes alone or in pairs, but don't worry. As long as we leave them alone, the parents will do their job. In a few days or weeks the babies will be flying. Of course, sometimes, and this is where nature seems cruel, the babies will become something's dinner. But if you pick it up, it's very hard to care for it, and the parents are very good at yelling and pecking at anyone or anything that gets near their babies.
Bet mom is tired.
6 comments:
Cool Pic!
Kaley is worried that their Mom has abandoned them, but I think we just aren't seeing her.
We think the owl got them :(
Poor things! :-(
I found this on a mockingbird discussion forum:
Mike, I live in Florida and have many mockingirds living in our yard and in the preserve behind our house. We have an umbrella tree that a pair of mockingbirds built their nest in only a few feet from the ground. There were 4 eggs and 3 of the chicks hatched. Both parents were very attentive and the chicks seemed like they were doing fine. The chicks were about 3 days old when they just disappeared. I saw them at dusk and the next day they were gone. They didn’t have any feathers and they are not on the ground around the tree. Do mockingbirds relocate their young? Or do you think a predator got them? I saw no sign of violence in the nest or around the tree. Thanks for any info. I hope they are ok.
I replied that we had the same experience. It gives me hope....
Here's something else:
Take the Mockingbird. These babies usually come out of the nest as soon as they're feathered, but not ready to fly. We want to help, but the way to help is by not helping at all. Do not touch or pick the babies up. A baby Mockingbird may not be able to fly, but it can run very fast. And the mother and father continue to watch over and feed it. At this point, the babies have to live in the bushes alone or in pairs, but don't worry. As long as we leave them alone, the parents will do their job. In a few days or weeks the babies will be flying. Of course, sometimes, and this is where nature seems cruel, the babies will become something's dinner. But if you pick it up, it's very hard to care for it, and the parents are very good at yelling and pecking at anyone or anything that gets near their babies.
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