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

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.