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Nest ID (Part 1)Date: Wed, 30 May 2001 20:08:36 -0700 Cinda Salisbury from Shippensburg, Pa. 1) What is the significance of feathers in a nest? I'm guessing
I can determine the bird from the nest makeup in the box. I
always thought that they just used anything that appealed to
them. Thank you.
Date: 31 May 2001 02:46:08 -0000 Hello EveryBIRDie! Since Cinda's question may be of interest to some others, new to the List, I'll post this. You "old timers" may use this opportunity to exercise your delete key. Hal H. Harrison's A FIELD GUIDE TO BIRDS' NESTS shows nests, eggs, and narrative that may be helpful. Assume you could special order it from your local Bookstore. ISBN 0-395-20434-8. I also have a "sliding" 6x11 PB's QUICK INDEX TO BIRD NESTING, showing 18 eggs, and slides to details of 75 selected birds: approx. incubation period, common nesting period, common number broods per season, eggs per cluth, which sex (a) builds nest, (b) incubates eggs, (c) helps raise young, etc. Happy birding! Stan ******************* On Wed, 30 May 2001 20:08:36 -0700 "Cinda J. Salisbury" cjs"at"cvns.net wrote: Cinda Salisbury from Shippensburg, Pa.
Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2001 01:19:00 -0700 (PDT) --- "Cinda J. Salisbury" cjs"at"cvns.net wrote: ... ===== From: "susan"at"changeswithin.com" changes"at"sunlink.net I just found what looks to be a "Woodland Fairie's nest." (except that most of me doesn't believe in fairies!) It is, by far, the "prettiest" and comfy-cozy looking nest i've ever seen!! Here are the facts of it's make-up and location. Do any of you wonderful and wise experienced folks know what it might be??? Location: Central PA, mixed woodland's edge *in a NABS style nestbox*. Woods are mixed deciduous with an occasional jack pine. This particular area has a goodly number of fallen trees. Adjacent to the woods is an area about the size of 3 or 4 football fields which is my "semi-mowed-yard," house and several outbuildings. Composition: Dried *green **whole** leaves that were apparently collected (and dried to form thier cuplike shape after they were placed inside the nestbox). Within the wall of green dried leaves there is a cup-formation of animal hair (probably from my house cat), fragments of some steel wool (I was just using steel wool outside about 2 weeks ago) and a maybe 3 or 4 pieces of thin twig. Also on the inner walls of the nestbox are a few larvae ... 2 cattapillars and i don't know what else. I *wish* i had a camera (any camera right now) but mine just broke. Anyone have any clues as to who this nest might belong to? If I were a bird spending winter in central PA ... *this is where I would want to be!!! Thanks so much for your assistance (in advance). From: "judymellin" judymellin"at"netzero.net Your library hopefully has a copy of the Peterson Guide to Birds Nest by Hal Harrison. It is invaluable in identifying things like this! Judy Mellin ----- Original Message ----- From: "susan"at"changeswithin.com" changes"at"sunlink.net From: "susan"at"changeswithin.com" changes"at"sunlink.net well, no, it doesn't. bu. although I *am* in the process of working with the local libraries to upgrade their 'bird info' section (and provide some quality educational programs) ... I'm sure it can get the recommended book! Thanks for the recommendation! As things are, there is frequently a long to moderate wait for books 'not on the shelf' and ... and of course I want to know *now*. Most think bluejays are bluebirds. (grrr) I'll be working really hard to change that. gr This part of PA is particularly rural (as is most of the 'middle' of PA and it's a big state. but ... one person one box at a time done right that's my "motto" smiles from *warm* PA From: "Keith & Sandy Kridler" kridler"at"1starnet.com Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas There can be a tremendous amount of variation between birds of the same species! From your limited description it sounds like you are describing a nest from a top opening box. (are you?) Titmice often use leaves and other trash in the top of the nest and leave the small nest cup lined with fur. Normally tufted titmice will line the bottom of the box with green moss. Then a layer of fur or fine grasses for the cup with leaves, rootlets, pieces of snakeskin or other loose debris dumped on top. When the female leaves the eggs for extended periods of time she will cover the eggs with an excess layer of fur or hair and then cover this with the trashy leaves and debris so that a predator when looking in the box sees what appears to be an abandoned nest.....no eggs are visible. If you have a finished well formed cup still then I would guess that the nest was abandoned as most species young will flatten out the nest before fledging. Even one bird surviving to fledgling age will crush some leaves or other trash into the fur of the nest cup. I am only guessing and adding some "human" reasoning for the use of "trash and debris" theory of mine and there may be other species in your area that could build a similar nest. Chickadees also use moss and fur lined nests but seldom in the south do they add the number of leaves that titmice will. Did you check the bottom of the nest? KK From: "susan"at"changeswithin.com" changes"at"sunlink.net OK, I'll try again! gr The nestbox opens in the front and swings outward and upward for easy cleaning and monitoring. I'm sorry for not being more specific before. The green dried leaves are whole and each overlaps slightly with the next. There are also a few smaller whole brown dried leaves. White fibers (spiderweb, larval cacoon or plant?) seem to help the cup keep its shape. There is no excrement on back or side walls of the box or floor. What debris there is, well, it looks like tiny balls of mud. No, defienetly not like mouse or rat excrement ... maybe some sort of worm excrement?? Inside the the leaves it is about 1" thick (all around) with fuzzy cat hair. (I comb my cat outside and leave the 'balls' of hair for the birds to use). 1 silvery gray catapillar carcass with a black stripe was inside the nest cup. This box has never had any sort of activity It has been there for two years. I cleaned this box (for the winter) September 1st, checked it Oct 1st ... no activity. Now .. voile' ... I have this lovely "woodland fairy" nest! I borrowed a camera (not a great camera) and I should have some pictures I can show everyone within a few days. I'd love to know what made the nest and ... if it is not likely to be used by the creature that made it, would love to find a way to preserve it for display purposes / education. alas ... i'll need educated myself!!! Thanks Keith and everyone for your comments. Off to watch the bluebirds et al! Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001 11:22:54 -0800 (PST) Susan, Just a wild guess, but looking at the time frame, it sounds like mice to me. This time of year they built snug little nests. The first year on "my" trail I think I had more mice than bluebirds. Jim Elliot --- "susan"at"changeswithin.com" changes"at"sunlink.net wrote: This box has never had any sort of activity It has ... ===== East Prospect, York County, PA From: "susan"at"changeswithin.com" changes"at"sunlink.net OK, I'll try again! gr The nestbox opens in the front and swings outward and upward for easy cleaning and monitoring. I'm sorry for not being more specific before. The green dried leaves are whole and each overlaps slightly with the next. There are also a few smaller whole brown dried leaves. White fibers (spiderweb, larval cacoon or plant?) seem to help the cup keep its shape. There is no excrement on back or side walls of the box or floor. What debris there is, well, it looks like tiny balls of mud. No, defienetly not like mouse or rat excrement ... maybe some sort of worm excrement?? Inside the the leaves it is about 1" thick (all around) with fuzzy cat hair. (I comb my cat outside and leave the 'balls' of hair for the birds to use). 1 silvery gray catapillar carcass with a black stripe was inside the nest cup. This box has never had any sort of activity It has been there for two years. I cleaned this box (for the winter) September 1st, checked it Oct 1st ... no activity. Now .. voile' ... I have this lovely "woodland fairy" nest! I borrowed a camera (not a great camera) and I should have some pictures I can show everyone within a few days. I'd love to know what made the nest and ... if it is not likely to be used by the creature that made it, would love to find a way to preserve it for display purposes / education. alas ... i'll need educated myself!!! Thanks Keith and everyone for your comments. Off to watch the bluebirds et al! Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001 11:22:54 -0800 (PST) Susan, Just a wild guess, but looking at the time frame, it sounds like mice to me. This time of year they built snug little nests. The first year on "my" trail I think I had more mice than bluebirds. Jim Elliot --- "susan"at"changeswithin.com" changes"at"sunlink.net wrote: This box has never had any sort of activity It has ===== East Prospect, York County, PA From: "susan"at"changeswithin.com" changes"at"sunlink.net
OK everyone ... have a look at this and "name that nest
maker" ... the pics are not the clearest and certainly
don't show the absolute beauty of this nest ... but, your assistance
is certainly appreciated! (see previous emails about specific
"word" descriptions... although nothing seems to do
this nest justice. It does indeed look like a woodland fairy
made it! Thanks so much everyone, From: "Gary Springer" springer"at"alltel.net
Hi Susan, From: "susan"at"changeswithin.com" changes"at"sunlink.net
----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary Springer" springer"at"alltel.net
Warmly From: "Gary Springer" springer"at"alltel.net
Hi again Susan, From: "susan"at"changeswithin.com" changes"at"sunlink.net
... From: "Debra Steinhausser"at"" DebraSteinhausser"at"fuhs.fairfield-union.k12.oh.us I would like to find a resource that would help me identify the nests of cavity nesting birds. I have the BB, house sparrow, and house wren figured out, but am unfamiliar with chickadee and others. Also, in the past when house wrens have used the BB boxes, I have had trouble determining when the eggs have been laid, young have fledged,etc. since the nest fills the entire box. Is there a way to tell without totally disturbing the nest? Debbie, Ohio Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002 07:03:15 -0800 (PST) Debbie - You might want to read about the following book by doing a search with either the title or author's name at: www.amazon.com. "Secrets of the Nest, The Family Life of North American Birds, by Joan Dunning. Houghton Mifflin, 1994. Paperback, approx. 8” x 8”, 198 pages. A lovely presentation and an in-depth study of thirty kinds of birds nests and the how and why of them. Illustrated with many drawings and beautiful water color paintings by the author." Evelyn --- "Debra Steinhausser"at"" DebraSteinhausser"at"fuhs.fairfield-union.k12.oh.us ... To: bluebird-l"at"cornell.edu (BLUEBIRD-L) I have the Peterson Field Guides of Eastern Birds' Nests. You may have to order it. It is a big help to me in identify nests. Maynard Sumner Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. On Tue, 29 Jan 2002 09:01:33 -0500 "Debra Steinhausser"at""
DebraSteinhausser"at"fuhs.fairfield-union.k12.oh.us writes: ... Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002 13:36:37 -0800 Hi Debra: The male House Wren fills up nestboxes with twigs in a pseudonest to claim the boxes for his intendeds (purposely plural). Until the female builds the actual nest of fine grasses and other "junk," many try to discourage the wrens by removing the twigs. I have done this on occasion but once the female arrives I respect her nest. However, if the twigs have again been piled clear to the top and her entrance is only a little tunnel through the twigs, I carefully pull out about 2 inches of twigs from the bottom and lower the whole structure. Of course, this can only be done with a side- or front-opening box. This will allow you, sometimes with a mechanic's or dental mirror, to see into the nest to count eggs, chicks, or in my case, to band the nestlings. A note of caution: HOWR chicks are often less altricial and
will jump out of the nest as early as 6 or 7 days. Though still
flightless, they can scurry through the leaves and underbrush
like little mice, then stop motionless, perfectly camouflaged.
When banding them, I often put them in a box. Rather than flocking
together, their instinctive flight defense is to go in all directions.
In the box the fastest four will be in the four corners motionless
while the less swift hurry back and forth trying for another
hiding place. I won't monitor or band them after 10 days-old
unless I have a net handy. "Debra Steinhausser"at"" wrote: I would like to find a resource that would help me identify the nests of ... From: "judymellin" judymellin"at"netzero.net This is a lovely book that I have reviewed previously. If anyone would like a copy of the review, please e-mail me separately and I'll forward it. It is not really an ID book, though. For that, I would definitely second-or third- the advice on the Peterson's Field Guide. It is a great resource and easily carried in the field. It gives photos of nests with eggs, drawings of egg markings and sketches of each species. It is mainly of eastern birds but you could probably find most of the species in it. John Eastman's series on eastern birds also has excellent sketches and descriptions of nests. While not as easy to carry, this series of three books is wonderful. Judy Mellin ----- Original Message ----- ... Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002 21:46:59 EDT I would like to find a resource that would help me identify the nests of cavity nesting birds. There's a Peterson Guide to Bird Nests--I find it very useful. I have the BB, house sparrow, and house wren figured out, but am unfamiliar with chickadee and others. Chickadees are usually quite recognisable because they include green moss in the nest cup. Very tidy! Also, in the past when house wrens have used the BB boxes, I have had trouble determining when the eggs have been laid, young have fledged,etc. since the nest fills the entire box. Is there a way to tell without totally disturbing the nest? If the nest box opens (top, front, or side), you should be able to see inside enough to see eggs, nestlings, etc. If the entire box is stuffed with twigs, then it's a dummy nest--the male house wren tends to fill every cavity in his vicinity! Rhonda Watts From: "Dan Y." dyagusic"at"hotmail.com I will be putting up a bluebird trail by the end of March. I will start monitoring it weekly at first. I am not well versed with nest identifications of certain species and there are some likely birds that will investigate my boxes. Does anyone know of a website or a place to go to get a list of birds and the type of nests they build? Species should include, B.C. Chickadee, house wren, T. Titmouse, swallows, house sparrows, starlings, Carolina Wren, and others I may have forgotten. The geographical area is Western Pa., Allegheny County. To: bluebird-l"at"cornell.edu (BLUEBIRD-L) On Fri, 01 Mar 2002 23:23:22 +0000 "Dan Y." dyagusic"at"hotmail.com
I will be putting up a bluebird trail by the end of March.
I will ... Dan, A good book to have to I D nest is:
Peterson Field Guides by: Hal. H. Harrison
Houghton Mifflin Company Maynard Sumner NABS MBS GAS OBS TBT OBC NAHC NAFC Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. From: "The Sneidars" annajul"at"uscyber.net
This may have the info you are looking for: http://birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/bhbasics/refrchart.html#nestegg
"He who is bearing others knows that he himself is being
borne." annajul"at"uscyber.net ----- Original Message ----- ... From: "Stan, Apple Valley/St. Paul, MN [44.44N, -93.10W]"
stan1bb"at"frontiernet.net Hi Dan: As of this Posting, I am not aware of a website for bird nests; however, two books you might peruse include: Hal H. Harrison - A Field Guide to Birds' Nests of the Eastern United States ISBN 0-395-20434-8 and Sharon A. Cohen and Gerry Ellis - Bird Nests ISBN 0-00-255110-1 Harrison's book is one of The Peterson Field Guide Series, sponsored by the National Audubon Society; and might be "just the book the Dr. ordered," figuratively speaking for you. The ISBN numbers listed are as shown on my copies. Encountered a situation a few weeks ago that the ISBN number on copy of a book I had, had been changed on newer edition, but anyway... Happy "nesting!" Stan | I will be putting up a bluebird trail by the end of March.
I will start From: kj4cn"at"juno.com I checked my trail of 13 boxes today. I found a partial bluebird nest in one of them. There was nesting material in two of the other boxes. I am not sure what is building a nest in them. One of them had some moss and what looked like bark that had been stripped from some kind of tree. The other had just the stripped bark material. I was thinking that a chickadee was starting a nest with the moss in it and then maybe something else took it over. I will just have to try to catch something going in and out of the boxes to know for sure. A friend told me that it was probably a brown capped nuthatch that was using the stripped bark. I am really excited to have native birds building in my boxes. Ron Hall From: "Phil Berry" mrtony8"at"mchsi.com Until now I have only seen two types of nests on my trail, EABL and HOSP. Yesterday I found three oddities: They are all alike, very compact, yet fill the entire bottom of the box, mounded, with a perfect center cup. Made of what looks like peat moss or material close to it, wet looking. All of my EABL's use pine straw, as it is the most prevalent material for them here. I looked at the pics of mests for other cavity dwellers, but it isn't there. Anyone have any ideas???? Phil Berry From: TonyTrz"at"aol.com Hi from Sarah in SE PA, From: "Dan McCue" dmccue"at"usit.net Phil - It sounds like as you describe it to be either chicadee
or titmouse nests. They both use ground moss in the nests.
Dan McCue West TN ... From: Lynn Ward lWard"at"pmai.org Can anyone direct me to a website for cavity nesters nest identification (with pictures)? Please respond directly to me or copy me as I get list Messages in digest form. Thanks, Lynn Ward To: lWard"at"pmai.org On Fri, 29 Mar 2002 11:26:27 -0500 Lynn Ward lWard"at"pmai.org
writes: ... Lynn, I do not know a website for nest identification, but if you can get the Peterson Field Guides of Eastern Birds' Nests by Hal H, Harrison number ISBN 0-395-93609-8 Houghton Mifflin Company. It is a very good book to have. Maynard Sumner Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. From: "Heather McCall" HeatherMcCall13"at"hotmail.com Hi. I would like to thank the person who recommended the nest identification book. However, until we can locate a copy to look at, is there a website with pictures of EABL and/or HOSP nests? We currently have a nest in our box, and my husband and I disagree on whether it looks like the EABL nest we had last year. We have seen a number of EABL in the area of the nest box for several weeks now, some going in and out, so my husband is convinced it is an EABL nest. I remember last year's EABL nest as being constructed of consistently fine pieces of dried grass fitted together tightly, and this new nest is looser and more inconsistent. Today when I scared a male HOSP off the top of the box I think a female HOSP flew out of the house. In case my memory is faulty I would really like to see some pictures of nests for comparison. If anyone has any nest photos they would like to email me off-list that would also be helpful. Thanks for your help, From: Theresa Brandt Theresa"at"Bowecho.com I have two questions... (2) there are some HOSPs who have set up housekeeping in the house that is closest to my house. (and of course to my line of sight).... they also have a nice nest going. I put a trap in the house earlier today and caught a female.... I let her go. Should I have destroyed her? I was waiting for a male. There are several HOSP males around here. The place was over-run with HOSPs when I moved in last fall. I have seen BBs and Cardinals, Chickadees and Nuthatches, so I know the birds are around, but the HOSPs are still outnumbering anything desirable 2:1. I feed good quality - no milo or millet.. feed, and I have a bird bath that the birds all visit in the morning.. visitors to the birdbath are 10:1 house sparrows. Any suggestions? From: "Bruce Burdett" blueburd"at"srnet.com Theresa, et al, What you describe sounds more like a Starling or maybe a House Sparrow. Starlings' nests can be quite LARGE. House Sparrows' nests often have the entrance on the side rather than the top. They are weaver finches, after all, and not true sparrows at all. I once saw a Starling nest that completely filled up the inside of a good-sized backyard charcoal grill, - perhaps 20" X 20". Bruce Burdett, SW NH From: "MJShearer" eshearer"at"attbi.com ----- Original Message ----- ... Hi Theresa, Sounds very similar to the titmouse nest in one of my boxes.... MJ From: MSBOC"at"aol.com Here's a question about the composition of nests. Has anyone who's done banding ever kept track of whether certain blues tend to use more feathers, or pine needles than others? The reason that I'm asking is this... This year the female who is nesting on my property has used a lot of feathers to finish out her nest. Many many more than I've ever seen used in any bb nest. There certainly was dry grass around. (I'm not clear whether the female and/or the male are the same ones who nested her last year or the child/children of former residents. They seem to know my mealworm whistle; so at keast the male has been here before.) But, if it's the same female why the change? If it's a new one, would she be likely to use feathers in her nest again? Anyone have experience? Date: Mon, 15 Apr 2002 09:15:05 -0400 I'm new to bluebirding, so please pardon if this question seems elementary. I have an 8-box bluebird trail that I check once a week, and I noticed that 3 of them have a nest built with a few inches of moss, lined with downy feathers on top. My understanding is that these are chickadee nests, and it is illegal to remove them until the end of the season. Is this correct? Thanks From: "greenacres001" greenacres001"at"msn.com i just did a story on disturbing nesting birds for the reno paper, and it's out today. the migratory bird treaty act, 1918, administered by us fish and wildlife, protects nesting birds as long as they're on eggs, nestlings or actively occupying the nest. the top fine for disturbing nesting birds including chickadees is $15,000 and 6 month jail time, if convicted (that's here anyway.) we had a nesting canada goose pair that sparked this story and last year i did a similar informative story for the paper on cliff swallows and their mud nests on the side of houses in a nice development. for a list of the birds protected, you can go to migratorybirds.fws.gov\intrnltr/mbta/mbtandx.html or call your local usfw for info. you can probably link to your local office through that site. i think the only birds not protected by that law might be the trinity -- hosp, pigeons and starlings. check it out. linda hiller in nevada ----- Original Message ----- ... From: "Bruce Burdett" blueburd"at"srnet.com Mark, and Bluebird-L, And yes; a nest made of green moss is probably a Chickadee nest. Often there is a layer of light feathers or down covering the egg cup. Sometimes the layer of feathers makes the eggs almost invisible. Bruce Burdett, SW NH Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 07:05:58 -0700 (PDT) Sometimes I get overwhelmed with letters here and want to quit till something interesting happens and then I change my mind because I know then that here maybe someone will have the answer...anyway... Last week as I was checking my boxes in Berlin Reservior, I opened one and it was fill with nothing but long, brown-and-white- feathers, like found on a duck or hawk. No eggs found inside. I at first thought that a mouse had done it, because I have had mice climb the U-post(I am now placing upside down 5gal. buckets on the posts). So, here's a mystery for someone out there in cyberspace to answer for me. If I find eggs when I go out this Sat, I'll let you know...........thanks to you all. Darrell in N.E. Ohio Stark County Coordinator Ohio Bluebird Society From: "Lawrence Herbert" lherbert"at"4state.com Karen and all, the Bewick's Wren nest that I have is roughly
30% sticks like a House Wren, 30% grass, 30% oak tree flowering
parts, and 10% leaves. The cavity of the bottom of the nest
box is full. The nest cup is not more than 2 inches in diameter
and about 1 and a half inches deep, and centered in the middle
of the nest. Good birding, From: "Dan Hanan" danhan7"at"earthlink.net Dan Hanan I have a rough cedar wood nest box with a different kind of nest in it than I have ever seen before. The box is mounted 6.5' high in the edge of a clearing and some 25' from the closest tree. The nest fills the nestbox (5" x 5" base x 6" to the bottom of an oval entrance hole) and is made of course leaves and inner bark. It has a tunnel going down to the bottom of the nest box where there is, as of 5-4-02, one egg. The egg is slightly larger than a EABL egg; it is whitish-cream in color with a lot of squiggly, medium reddish-brown lines forming a design all over its surface. I have not seen either parent. If someone could help me identify the kind of bird that has nested in this box, I would appreciate it very much. A second box has a mother setting on 5 eggs. The eggs are chickadee sized and are cream colored with brown spots. The mother appears to have yellow on her breast and to have a brown back and tail; she appears to be about the size of a chickadee or slightly larger. I have not been able to get a good look at her, except in flight, and I maybe mistaken about her having a yellow breast. Her nest is very shallow and has bits of moss in it. The nest box is mounted 6.5' high in a 50' clearing in the midst of some oak trees. I would also appreciate it if someone could help identify this bird. Thanks . . . Dan Date: Mon, 06 May 2002 20:12:30 -0700 (PDT) Well folks, that all-brown-feather nest I guess was a HSP,
for when I went back last Sat, the female flew out. So, there
is the answer for those waiting...... Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 11:15:05 -0500 What birds line their nests with feathers? Thanks, Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 11:23:10 -0400 Tree Swallows make a grass nest lined with feathers (usually white) -----Original Message----- ... Date: Sun, 26 May 2002 13:13:31 -0400 I have not seen any birds at the nest box that has the nest that is lined with feathers, but this a.m. it has two, pale rust colored with darker rust at one end, eggs in it. Any thoughts as to what bird might be nesting in it greatly appreciated. My EABB's have 4 eggs as of this A.M.!!!! Best regards, From: Shane Marcotte marco50"at"bellsouth.net Hello All, From: "Glenn Williams" glenwill"at"chilitech.net Let me know about the size of the eggs, in the meantime, I
am going to Thank you & have a nice holiday! From: hubertrap"at"webtv.net (Joe Huber) Hi Shane, When you mention moss in the nest it sounds like a Chickadee, They use moss and hair in nests. The height in tree was just because that is where the hole was. Probably an old woodpecker hole left from previous year. Joe Huber Venice, Fl. Charter member NABS, Charter member OBS, Life member OBS Joe
Huber http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/HOUSESPARROWCONTROL
http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/RoostingBluebirds 27.1171494 N Lo -82.4124222 W From: Shane Marcotte marco50"at"bellsouth.net ... From: "Keith & Sandy Kridler" kridler"at"1starnet.com Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas We have so few White Breasted nuthatches in the south that I have never found an active or old nest that I know of. The size of the bird and the shape of the beak will be very similar to a bluebird's body. The Great Crested Flycatchers began nesting about three weeks ago in Northeast Texas and I watched a pair carrying nesting material just yesterday about a mile from my house while waiting at a stop sign. They were building in a catalpa tree about 35 feet off of the ground. KK From: "Glenn Williams" glenwill"at"chilitech.net Diane(Bluebyrder)wrote: Diane, As of this early noon my EABL'S have 5 eggs!!! I thank all for your help in trying to identify my "mystery"
cavity nesters and as soon as I identify them I will post what
I have discovered them to be! My bet right now, given the wisdom
kindly shared by Diane and others here, is that they will in
fact be HOWR! From: Shane Marcotte marco50"at"bellsouth.net Hello All, If I have had any say so in the matter of this tree coming down I would have pushed it!!!In the future I gurantee that I will have a protest line at the site if its during nesting season!!!Another hard lesson learned and another wrinkle in my fore head! Shane in La From: "Stan, Apple Valley/St. Paul, MN [44.44N, -93.10W]"
stan1bb"at"frontiernet.net Hi Glenn: I'm placing my "bet" on the TRES [TREe Swallow]! We have a pair of TRES in our area, with feathers, almost like a "canopy-bed" in a furniture store. So, don't do anything drastic until you see the parent birds. They seem to be scarce at times; at other times, flying all over the place. Seem to be sticking closer now that the female has laid eggs. Keep us apprised of this scenario! Happy "TRES-ing!" Stan ... From: hubertrap"at"webtv.net (Joe Huber) Hi Cinda, Chickadees are the ones that use moss in their nest. The bottom is lined first with moss and he cup has hair or the monofiliment you seen. Joe Huber Charter member NABS, Charter member OBS, Life member OBS Joe Huber hubertrap"at"webtv.net http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/HOUSESPARROWCONTROL
http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/RoostingBluebirds 27.1171494 N Lo -82.4124222 W Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 23:17:36 EDT I have a moss nest in my BB box with monofilament line. In this area, I'd bet on a black-capped chickadee--they rely on moss. A titmouse might use a little, but would have dead leaves as well. Enjoy them, if so--dees are fun! (You may find that it looks like nothing happens, then one day Mama Dee is sitting on a complete set of eggs! They bury the eggs in the moss until ready to incubate the lot.) Rhonda Watts From: "Cinda J. Salisbury" cjs"at"cvns.net I know many of you have seen a variety of eggs. What is cream with reddish dots? Very tiny egg. This is an all moss nest with "gray cat hair" or "gray down" all over the top?? I was thinking Chickadee, but the gray stuff is throwing me. Now I'm thinking Titmouse, but there are no sticks or twigs. I keep watching, but see absolutely nothing in the way of adults. Does anyone know of a site to find egg ID? I found it last year by accident, but I just can't find it now. This is the same as the bird song ID site. You know, "Birdie, Birdie Birdie3D Cardinal" etc... I found that last year also, but can't now. I think I need a computer course. I save this stuff under favorites, only to have it disappear on me when I want it again. Cinda....S/C Pa. From: "Stan, Apple Valley/St. Paul, MN [44.44N, -93.10W]"
stan1bb"at"frontiernet.net Hi: You might try three things: Let me know what you learn. Have fun! Happy birding! Stan ... Date: Sun, 02 Jun 2002 12:07:04 -0400 Can anyone help identify these eggs pictured in the below link? The box has a 1 1/8 round hole and is sited about 30 feet from a woods line. Since it's definitely not Chickadee, I'd think it had to be Wren. However, everything I've read about wren describes an untidy nest (this one is exquisite of straw and lined with feathers) and white eggs with red or brown closely gathered spots or mottling (these are solid rosy color on one end darkening to chocolate on the other). Is this just a variation on a wren's nest (I've never actually seen one) or is it something else? click here: To: bluebird-l"at"cornell.edu On Sun, 02 Jun 2002 12:07:04 -0400 Pamela Ford jpford"at"comcast.net ... I would say it is a Carolina Wren. This is a good Wren to have. Maynard Sumner NABS MBS GAS OBS OBC NAHC NAFC Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Date: Sun, 02 Jun 2002 23:13:10 -0400 Pam, I checked Hal Harrison's Eastern Birds' Nests and A Guide to the Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds by Paul Baicich and Colin Harrison. Both suggest that you have house wrens. Patty in WV Pamela Ford jpford"at"comcast.net 06/02/02 12:13 PM ... From: hubertrap"at"webtv.net (Joe Huber) Hi Pam, These eggs definitely look like House Wren eggs. The nest appears to be made of course grass which doesn't match most nests that I've seen, but shape seems same. The eggs are what tells what it is. Joe Huber Charter member NABS, Charter member OBS, Life member OBS Joe Huber hubertrap"at"webtv.net http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/HOUSESPARROWCONTROL
http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/RoostingBluebirds 27.1171494 N Lo -82.4124222 W Date: Mon, 03 Jun 2002 16:33:56 -0400 Ernie, I love this site that Larry posted. Pam National Wildlife Federation has a website that will help you identify that new species of bird in your backyard. Go to the site, enter your zip code or region, identify your species, view species field guide pages, and listen to audio downloads of over 500 bird songs and calls. Click on the link below. Regards to everyone larry... http://www.eNature.com/main/home.asp -----Original Message----- ... From: "Gilliam, Jay" jay.gilliam"at"pioneer.com Ernie and Others---- http://www.mbr.nbs.gov/id/songlist.html
-----Original Message----- ... From: Simon Theresa"at"Bowecho.com uh oh my question for today is, does someone have pictures of baby
HOSP that I can use to compare to these and find out what they
are? the are a couple of weeks old at least.. starting to get
brown tail feathers, and have yellow beaks.. please tell me
they are something good ;-( From: Simon Theresa"at"Bowecho.com ah.. it's a jungle out there. i have TRES getting ready to fledge... then found a whole nest of mystery birds in my huge pine tree today. there are lots of other nests higher up, but the tree is probably 40 feet tall, and I"m not climbing up there. The nest in the tree is made of twigs, very neat and round and holds 5 baby birds. sigh while looking around for parents, my dog brought me a dead baby bird... then while I was looking at it.. she started under the tree for another.. i called her off, and noticed another one out in the open. I think this one was a bluebird. i have no idea where these babies came from. the tree branches all the way to the ground, and it's very hard to get under it, so the dogs never go there.. for all i know, there are nests right on the ground. dogs are going to be in the dog yard for a few days until i get this figured out. the last thing i want is my dog proudly bringing me a dead baby bird :( From: Allengang7"at"aol.com Karen Allen Hi all, From: hubertrap"at"webtv.net (Joe Huber) NO, This isn't HOSP,s as their nests are not open. In bushes they build a huge nest with an entrance hole into it. Joe Huber Charter member NABS, Charter member OBS, Life member OBS Joe Huber hubertrap"at"webtv.net http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/HOUSESPARROWCONTROL
http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/RoostingBluebirds 27.1171494 N Lo -82.4124222 W From: Allengang7"at"aol.com ... From: "Bruce Burdett" blueburd"at"srnet.com Karen, and others, The birds we have most frequently nesting in low bushes are Song Sparrows, and their nests are both neat and little. My little Reed book says the eggs are 'bluish-white, profusely spotted with brown.' You'll have to do a little research to learn more about the eggs you described. Bruce Burdett, SW NH Date: Sun, 09 Jun 2002 12:57:05 -0500 At 11:36 AM 6/9/02 -0400, Allengang7"at"aol.com wrote: ... It does NOT sound like a house sparrow nest to me. They make a tightly woven nest with a tunnel-type entrance. If you watch the nest carefully, you might see who the parents are. Kate Oschwald From: "Bruce Burdett" blueburd"at"srnet.com Karen, et al, Of course, there are LOTS of sparrows. The Song happens to be about the most common in our area. They require a lot of study to make identification certain. (I'm not very good at it.) If you have Song Sparrows around you'll surely hear them, and you should try to learn to recognize the song. Do you have a song CD, or tape? Bruce Burdett, SW NH From: "ke4fej1" ke4fej1"at"email.msn.com Hi All, Today I went in search for Bluebirds in middle Sarasota County, FL. I was told there were BB's at a golf course. I drove all around the lands that could have BB's but I saw nothing. I then drove for miles East looking at land and wires. I found some good land and saw no BBs. At our large Myakka State Park, I inquired about BBs. One ranger said she sees them very often but they have no boxes and there might be a possibility to put them up in the park. I also asked on their view of control of HOSP and Starlings and they said there was nothing they knew of in FL against controlling them. I then drove North 10 miles to the Crowley Museum and Nature Center which was to have had one BB seen. You can find them on the Internet. I did not find the bird but I did find a BB box. As far as I know there is only one box. The center said take a look. I had to climb through a barbed wire fence. Now that happening should have been documented with a camera! I am no tiny little thing. I consider myself to be more of a Chunk-et. But I made it through the wires, and the high grass. I found a not too neat grass nest about 1 inch high and one large gray feather. There may have been more small feathers under the eggs. I also saw one small wasp just above. I continued to be strong and poked my fingers to the edge of the nest to see what appeared to be 4 cream colored eggs with very rich brown spots at one end and appeared to get lighter speckled to the center and almost gone by the other end. Below is a link to some egg photos I found on the Internet. I believe the eggs I found are more like the Carolina Wren's ...there are also HOSP eggs to click on. If anyone has any other ideas let me know what you think. http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/bird_eggs.html I again had nothing to get rid of wasps, so I left it there. I also did not check the eggs for cool or heat because of the wasp. And as I climbed back through the wire I was not as lucky as the first time. I now have a 10" scr atch up my arm, but I suppose it could have been worse. Gee... much worse! Today I realize I need to have in my car BB tools and a First Aid Kit too! But at least I found eggs. I am getting closer! From: "Stan, Apple Valley/St. Paul, MN [44.44N, -93.10W]"
stan1bb"at"frontiernet.net Hi Karen et al! To check out songs of song sparrow and others, turn on your
sound and check out:
http://enature.com/audio/audio_home.asp Then in "right column," under "perching birds," click "sparrows." Happy birding! Stan ... From: Shane Marcotte marco50"at"bellsouth.net Hello All, Shane Marcotte From: "Karen Louise Lippy" brdbrain"at"superpa.net Shane, ... From: "Anne-Marie Palermino" ampalermino"at"msn.com I live in Lincoln, Rhode Island and have blue birds nesting in a box in my back yard. The unusual thing is in my frontyard where I have conical yews (evergreen bush about 5ft8inches tall) where I found a neatly weaved, cupped shaped nest with 4 blue eggs that are identical to those of blue birds. Currently, a sparrow is incubating them. I tried to scare him away but he seems very serious about his job. Would it make sense to move the eggs in the box in the backyard once the chicks have fledged? have you ever seen anything like that? Additionally, I thought blue birds only nested in cavities and did not make nests in branches. I am new to blue birds and am totally puzzled. From: "Keith & Sandy Kridler" kridler"at"1starnet.com Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas From: hubertrap"at"webtv.net (Joe Huber) Hi ANNe, This nest in the shrub is apparently not a bluebird nest, but one of one of our native sparrows. This would be a more desirable bird than a HOSP which lays a speckled egg rather than a blue egg. This nest should be left alone to the care of its occupants. I don't know the colors of other native sparrows eggs but they can be looked up. This apparently is a desirable bird that has no use for a nest box. Best of luck. Joe huber Charter member NABS, Charter member OBS, Life member OBS Joe
Huber http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/HOUSESPARROWCONTROL
http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/RoostingBluebirds 27.1171494 N Lo -82.4124222 W From: "Anne-Marie Palermino" ampalermino"at"msn.com ... From: "Anne-Marie Palermino" ampalermino"at"msn.com Thank you all. I was about to make a big mistake. I am just back from work and checked very delicately the nest. The little bird is still incubating the 4 blue eggs and I hope I did not scare her yesterday. Based on what you said, it is a house finch. It looks like a sparrow but is smaller and daintier and yes, the eggs have black specks. The chicks are not born yet and I will keep you posted. Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 11:46:01 -0400 Hi Anne-Marie, Great news! The chipping sparrow is a very sweet bird, a joy to hear and observe at a feeder. The book I mentioned to you yesterday, Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds, 2d Ed., by Paul J. Baicich and Colin J.O. Harrison (Academic Press, 1997) gives the following description for chipping sparrow nests, eggs, and (excerpts, p. 299): "Nest in a tree, usually a conifer, a shrub, or a vine, occasionally in other sites. From 3-60 ft.up, but mostly between 3 and 20 ft. up. Nest: A cup of dead grasses, weed stems and rootlets; lined with finer grasses and hair. Eggs: Usually 4, light blue, very sparsely marked, mostly at larger end, with irregular spots, small blotches and specks in black, blackish-brown, paler purple and lilac. Incubation: 11-14 days. Nestling period: Female broods young 4-5 days. Young leave nest at 9-12 days, can fly at 14 days. Diane Seward -----Original Message----- Thank you all. I was about to make a big mistake. I am just back from work and checked very delicately the nest. The little bird is still incubating the 4 blue eggs and I hope I did not scare her yesterday. Based on what I saw on the net, it is a not house finch, but a chipping sparrow . It looks like a sparrow but is smaller and daintier and yes, the eggs have black specks. The chicks are not born yet and I will keep you posted. From: "Dan McCue" dmccue"at"usit.net From: "chickie smith" critters"at"capital.net Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2002 09:10:35 -0700 (PDT) ... From: "judymellin" judymellin"at"netzero.net ... From: "Karen Louise Lippy" brdbrain"at"superpa.net From: "Karen Louise Lippy" brdbrain"at"superpa.net One of the neatest things about monitoring nest boxes is that
unusual things keep popping up. This week, a monitor brought
me five 2" long, rolled up tubes made of leaves. Each end
of the tube was sealed with a waxy substance. She said these
things were in a bluebird nest, about half way down in the material.
I couldn't imagine a bluebird using them to build a nest. Was
it something the birds had brought in for the chicks to eat?
It looked like a large green worm. She took some to her son in Maryland who is a state forester.
He told her they are nest chambers of leaf cutter bees. They
build these tubes, store them with food, lay their eggs inside
and seal them up. The larvae hatch, feed and grow inside, then
emerge as the bee. How neat!! I had never heard of leaf cutter
bees. He said that the bees often hide these chambers in straw.
The bluebird nest must have been a perfect place. Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2002 07:49:57 -0400 On 7/31/02 6:49 AM, Karen Louise Lippy wrote: One of the neatest things about monitoring nest boxes is that
Something I found in two nestboxes used by Tree Swallows this year that I'v e never found before was snail shells. They were about 1/2" long and whole. They apparently had been fed to the chicks and either passed through or wer e regurgitated. I wonder how many were actually digested! When Cornell Lab first started their Nestbox program, one of the studies was based on providing eggshells and I had Tree Swallows (among other species) taking these to feed chicks. IIRC, the program materials from Cornell stated that, here in the Northeast, acid rain was affecting the amount of calcium available in the environment. Scientists wondered if this lack of calcium went up the food chain from soil to plants to insects and then to birds, resulting in birds laying thin eggshells. Brenda Nature Club of Central New York http://www.natureclubofcny.com From: rindfleisch12"at"elknet.net I am looking for information regarding nest identification and locations. I have found several "tiny" nests that have fallen from trees that are made of all horse hair or with a bit of grasses. I'm thinking they are gold finch or house finch nests as I have so many of them. I've read descriptions of nest, but a picture is worth 1000 words. I've also had a pair of cedar wax wings and would love to find their '02 nest. They'd wipe out my "old cotton sweater" nesting material in no time for days on end. When I returned from work and didn't find the material box empty, I knew their nest was complete and was subject only to repairs thereafter. Hoping to ID the nests and find the wax wing nest so I know where to look for them next year. Thanks for any help! PS: Put up several box posts this weekend for the EABL boxes
I building. To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu Hi Chery, A good book to get about nest is the Peterson Field Guides Series Eastern Birds' Nest By Hal H. Harrison Houghton Mifflin Company Number 6-81489 ISBN 0-395-93609-8 The House Finch is a cavities nester American Goldfinch nest i a durable nest cup of fine vegetable fibers woven and lined with thistle and cattail down. Some nests tend to be deeper then wide. Maynard Sumner Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. On Mon, 28 Oct 2002 13:23:05 EST rindfleisch12"at"elknet.net
writes: ... From: "Snoopy" snoopy"at"wmis.net Okay, I've never had this happen to me, and so I'm seeking everyones wisdom on this matter.... I'm a fairly new bluebirder.... 5 years but never really studied them or anything, just put up the boxes and monitered them. Well, I haven't seen my blues in about a month, since we had a big snowstorm... don't know if they left or what... (I don't feed them so I was quite surprised they even stayed as long as they did) anyway, my dh had been checking the boxes for me (to make sure there were no blues that didn't make it through the winter) but hasn't done it in a few weeks, and I hadn't really looked inside them myself since early last fall... well today I made myself wade through the kneecap deep snow to check them out... no dead bluebirds WHEW! (my heart was standing still everytime I opened one for fear of what I would find) Anyway, one box had a nest in it that I have never seen before.... I have seen bluebird nests and I have seen swallow nests and I have even seen (and destroyed) the house sparrow nests.... but this nest was made out of TWIGS.... ALL TWIGS... a very neat nest, but no grass, hair, feathers or anything, just twigs.... so WHO made this nest???? It appears to have been there over the winter, so I pulled it all out as I like to start with a clean box when my blues come home.... (was I wrong to pull it out????) Help!!!! joy in the boonies in michigan From: "Bruce Burdett" blueburd"at"tds.net Joy, et al, Although House Wrens are federally protected native songbirds, they are a real nuisance to serious bluebirders. Despite their small size, their cuteness, and their melodious song, they will break open Bluebird eggs, toss them out on the ground, and even sometimes peck nestlings fatally or drag them out. The only legal way to control them is to choose your house locations with great care. The suggestion that Bluebird houses should be at least 100' out in an open clearing is made chiefly to discourage House Wren interference. Consult your "Bluebird Monitor's Guide" for more suggestions on this subject. Bruce Burdett, SW NH ----- Original Message ----- ... From: Shane Marcotte marco50"at"bellsouth.net Hello All, Do the bbs occationally use these feathers or is a hosp to
blame? Last year I only saw grass in all 3 of my nestboxes which
sucessfully fledged about 12 to 15 babies. To: bluebird-l"at"cornell.edu On Sat, 29 Mar 2003 20:06:58 -0500 Shane Marcotte marco50"at"bellsouth.net ... Bluebirds will some times put feathers in the nest. If it is big feathers going over the top of the nest it may be tree swallows. Maynard Sumner http://mibluebirdsociety.tripod.com
Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 18:33:53 -0800 Linda Violett - Yorba Linda, Calif. Yes, here is a series of pictures showing the variety of nests built by Western Bluebirds on my trail (some with large feathers): http://home.earthlink.net/~lviolett/NestPics.html At this moment, there is a nest with an unusually large amount
of feathers in one of the Bluebird nests on my trail which will
be added to that photo collection later this week after all
the eggs are laid. Shane Marcotte wrote: ... From: "emcooper" emcooper"at"bayou.com I did a search on Tree Swallows and they don't nest in Louisiana. Could it have been a Carolina Chickadee that used feathers? I found a partially built bluebird nest today that had some fresh green moss on top of it and I will see if a Carolina Chickadee is trying to take it from the Bluebird. On the top of the one Carolina Chickadee nest I have, it looks like fine feathers or hair on top of the green moss. Evelyn Cooper Delhi, La. ----- Original Message ----- ... From: hubertrap"at"webtv.net (Joe Huber) Hello All, The green moss is surely Chickadee nest material. The bluebirds better start guarding their nest better. Hope you have another box near by. You may have to wait to see who ends up using this box. Bluebirds could definitely win out if they really try. Best Wishes, Joe Huber Venice, Fl. Charter member NABS, Charter member OBS, Life member OBS Joe Huber hubertrap"at"webtv.net http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/HOUSESPARROWCONTROL
http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/RoostingBluebirds 27.1171494 N Lo -82.4124222 W From: "emcooper" emcooper"at"bayou.com ... From: "Nancy C. Hebb" Fencroft"at"msn.com OK, another "newbie" question: Is there a good source for photos/id hints to help me learn how to identify both nests and eggs of the various cavity dwellers? I fully admit total ignorance. I've seen a lot of birds of every species making off with the wool my sheep have "snagged" here and there or bits left on the ground when we sheared recently! I guess they don't mind lanolin or the smell of sheep. Nancy, Michigan To: Fencroft"at"msn.com, bluebird-l"at"cornell.edu On Sun, 30 Mar 2003 09:50:22 -0500 "Nancy C. Hebb"
Fencroft"at"msn.com ... Nancy, A good book to have is: Eastern Birds' Nests ISBN 0-395-93609-8 Houghton Mifflin Company Maynard Sumner http://mibluebirdsociety.tripod.com
From: "emcooper" emcooper"at"bayou.com I mentioned in this post yesterday that the Chickadee was trying
to take the Bluebird nest and we took another nestbox and pole
and paired it beside that one this morning. While my husband
was putting the echo roof on the one with the Bluebird nest
in it, I saw the Chickadee coming and dive bombed him and landed
in a tree just a few feet from us. She was the tiniest thing.
Then, she took another great big swoop at him right over his
head. He went back to the nest site about 30 minutes later and
the Chickadee was on the nestbox with the Bluebird nest in it.
She had not put any new grass in it today, so maybe the Bluebirds
are fighting for it. Maybe she will take the other nestbox.
I thought that was really neat to see the cute little Chickadee
dive bombing. Evelyn Cooper Delhi, La. Louisiana Bayou Bluebird
Society ... From: "emcooper" emcooper"at"bayou.com I just got back from checking the nestbox that the Chickadee took from the Bluebirds and she definitely took it. It is piled high with moss on the Bluebird nest and she did all that since this morning. There are three other empty nestboxes within 200 and 300 yards in three directions and I wonder why she had to run the Bluebird out of the half finished nest. Maybe the Bluebirds will come back and build in the one that we paired beside it. In the other Chickadee nest, when I first discovered the eggs they were all covered up. Several days later, I checked and she had uncovered them and 6 tiny little eggs were nice and warm. I am learning about Carolina Chickadees. :) Evelyn Cooper ... Nest ID (part 2) |
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