WHERE THE BIRDS BREED

WREN HOUSE

Lots of birdfeeding calls for lots of birdhouses for lots of breeding.
We have several birdhouses around the yard that many of the birds have used for breeding during the late spring and summer.  Birds don't actually sleep in any of the houses during the year but build up nesting material inside the houses and the female lays her eggs in the nest and incubates them till hatching.

We have been lucky several times in the past years to witness baby wrens, chickadees, and robins hatch and grow until they fly the coop. The robins build twig only nests in the trees while the other birds use the safety and comfort of the houses to breed.

DOUBLE HEART

WREN HOUSE

The male wrens are some of the first to build in the spring.  They build as many as 12 nests for the females to inspect

After choosing and rebuilding the nest, the female will lay one egg each day until a clutch of 5 or 6 eggs are laid. The eggs are white with brown marks.

Incubation time last 12-15 days. During this time the female will leave the eggs from time to time to feed. Sometimes it may look like the male is bringing food to the female, more likely though, he is anticipating (practicing) the feeding of the young. Although occassional feedings to the female may occur.

After the eggs hatch, it will take another 16-17 days before the young leave the cavity.  We've had the pleasure of seeing many babies take flight.

OLD WREN HOUSE

Chickadees shop around for nest sites. They check out lots of potential locations. They have been known to begin excavating and even start building a nest in three to five different locations in a season. Usually before the nests are complete they make a final decision on their favorite spot, complete the nest, wait a few days and then begin to lay eggs.

When chickadees excavate homes in rotten wood, the building process can take some time. Black-capped Chickadees will take 7-14 days to lay an egg after beginning to build a nest site.

ANOTHER OLD MAN

OLD MAN HOUSE

GOURD HOUSE

AMERICAN ROBINS

They can produce up to three successful broods in one year. On average, two clutches are raised with less than half being successful. Only a quarter of those that do fledge survive to November. From that point on, about half of the birds alive in any year will make it to the next. The female lays 3-7 light blue eggs that are incubated for 12-14 days and the young leave the nest in about 14-16 days.

A good percentage of baby birds are lost due to people thinking they've rescued the little one. The young are often found on the ground without what seems to be, any parental oversight. Adults and children catch these newly fledged birds and take them inside, not knowing they've rescued a bird that didn't need rescuing.

You see, when baby robins first leave the nest, they are unable to fly. Some jump to higher branches in the nest tree and some take a tumble to the ground but landing softly. These baby birds are fine, the adults will continue to care for them. Leave Them Be!

WILLIAMSBURG, VA HOUSE

MAINE BOUY MARKER HOUSE

ROOSTER HOUSE

PORTUGUESE CERAMIC HOUSES

Karen and I try to obtain unusual birdhouses on our trips. Many of the birds have used these houses and brought their babies into our yard..

As usual in this cold and dreary month we are impatiently awaiting the arrival of spring and the increase in bird activities and breeding.

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