Weird bird thing

[faithellen]

On Sunday morning, I checked in on my bird's nest -- mama was sitting in the nest, jamming food down the little throats that popped up. She spied me through the window and flew off, which was normal for her.

Sunday evening, around 6, I opened the front door to let someone in. The bird's nest was empty, and the top of it had been ripped apart and strewn on the stoop. Bits of the silk flower arrangement were also ripped apart and scattered on the ground. No sign of birds or remains.

The nest sat 5 and a half feet off the ground on a brick wall in a sconce, with no ledges or things nearby (plus, I've never seen cats on our property).

Anyone got any clues? Did I spook them? Is this what happens when birds decide it's time for the little ones to fly?

Comments

My Vote

[skivee.livejournal.com]

raccoons

Re: My Vote

[faithellen]

During the day? And would they have been that tidy about, um, bird bits?

Re: My Vote

[skivee.livejournal.com]

Look, you asked for my opinion and I gave it. I didn't expect to have to defend it like a freakin' doctoral dissertation. I just think that it was raccoons, okay. Perhaps if you had provided more information...photos, video, that sort of thing, then I could form a more accurate theory. In the meantime, I think it breaks down like this.
Mom and dad are going about exchanging nest watching and bug reguritating duties. A RACCOON( yes, I'm sticking with my prime suspect) climbs the bush, drives off mom and/or pop, and drags the screaming babies off to their doom, shreadding the next in the process.
So unlessm you got some other theories, Ms. Holmes, I suggest you just say, " Thanks, what a great theory", okay?????
xxxx
Skivee

Re: My Vote

[netsearcher.livejournal.com]

I don't think there's a bush for a coon to climb in that area.

That's the mystery here. How'd the attacker get *to* the nest? Either they're tall, (bad human), can fly (bird) or scaled the face of the brick wall.

Re: My Vote

[skivee.livejournal.com]

the self-same bush that the nest was in would be a fine stepladder for a raccoon.
Skivee (who refues to let his theory be denied)

Re: My Vote

[netsearcher.livejournal.com]

LMAO.

There is no bush.

*runs like heck*

Re: My Vote

[skivee.livejournal.com]

see my reply at the previous reply in a few moments. All will be revealed.
Skivee, also known by his super-hero name- BigBrain

Re: My Vote

[skivee.livejournal.com]

One thing that you should know is that Faith is a well-known misrepresenter.
Just because she says,"The nest sat 5 and a half feet off the ground on a brick wall in a sconce, with no ledges or things nearby (plus, I've never seen cats on our property)." doesn't mean that she is correct. She has clearly left out critical details; the rocketraccoon(tm) tiny jetpack she found in the front walk, the small but powerful computer with a three-dee scale drawing of the house, sconce, gutter system and locations of all alarm sensors, the tiny walkie-talkies that was left in the grass nearby, The carbon fiber monofiliment attached by a tinsey grappling hook to the gutter above, and lastly, the signed confession of one "Arnold The Raccoon" who says in part," I dun it, I knew I dun it, I shouldna' dun it, the cute little birdies were tastey. Don't hate me, it's just what we raccoons do."
So There!!!

Sounds like a raid of some sort

[netsearcher.livejournal.com]

I've seen squirrels go up brick, and yes, they've been known to raid nests. But I wouldn't expect a lone squirrel to consume all the babies. It's possible a squirrel, or another bird, raided the nest. Any bits remaining, once on the ground might have been consumed by other birds, squirrels, or cats. Or really, anything that could get to them.

The babies weren't at fledgeling status yet, were they? Even if they were, they don't normally take off in one swoop and not come back, it's a gradual thing. And not the norm for parents to tear apart the nest after that.

Coon raid is a possibility, but I wouldn't expect *that* much activity during daylight. I've seen them come out during the day (it isn't always a sign of illness; sometimes it's just a behavioral adaptation, or it's hot). And they aren't quite as handy scaling a brick wall.

My money'd be on a bird doing the initial damage, after they hit the ground, all bets are off.

[sunnidae]

I'm with netsearcher. Do you have bluejays in the area? My sister *watched* one attack baby birds in a nest. :(

[faithellen]

We have bluebirds in abundance, and woodpeckers. Never seen a bluejay though.

[robrobbinks.livejournal.com]

What goes up can also come down....if the nest is 5 1/2 feet up, it may only be 2 1/2 feet down from an eave or gutterline. A squirrel or a ::ducks low:: racoon could have made an attempt at raiding the nest from above, slipped and wrecked the whole thing on the way down. Once down and wrecked, said vermin coul dhave torn it all to shreds in rage or inquisitiveness.

It could also have been redcaps.