Well I got the opportunity to save another baby bird who had fallen out of its nest and happily it seems my efforts would pay off this time. =)
It all started thursday evening when Marshall called me out to the backyard to point out a baby bird that our dog Lotus had found on the lawn. Shortly after the discovery of the first bird, Sierra found a second bird that unfortunately had not made the fall from the tree. When Marshall shined a flashlight up into the branches we found a birds nest that appeared to have disintegrated and partially fallen to the ground. Although we had no idea what kind of bird it was despite my bad luck trying to save baby birds in the past (pet cat got one that I had been trying to teach how to fly and the second baked on the Jacuzzi when I was away for the day at my sister’s wedding rehearsal dinner) I thought I’d attempt to find a way to save the bird anyway.
However slim the odds I decided to put the bird into a large cardboard box and see what happened by the next morning. To my surprise the bird was alive and appeared healthy. From the living room I also noticed a dove walking around the area we had found the baby and then checking out the concrete where the other one had fallen. Hurray! Maybe there is a chance the mother would come back to the baby so I went outside, moved the baby bird, paper towel and nest bits onto the concrete and waited. What came next? Profit! =)
Holy cow it worked! The mother came back and is taking care of her baby. Yay!! =)
By Friday evening the paper towel and nesting materials had blown away. Not to worry though. To my delight the dove and its baby had re-located at the base of the tree that they had originally been nesting in and seemed quite comfortable. Ah, I’m so glad that doves are such good parents. Another other kind of bird would probably be screwed if it fell out of its nest.
Although it looks like the baby is squished he's actually quite happy and healthy.
On Saturday morning I was lucky enough to capture the mother dove as she cautiously approached her baby after being frightened off when I let the dogs out to use the bathroom. It’s really funny how they completely sit on the baby without smothering them. Don’t try this at home.
From my living room I saw the mother (or father) slowly approaching the baby.
Hurray! She found the baby and is now taking care of the little guy. =)
After two days I finally got my first close up look at the baby. This is what the bird looked like after being sat on for hours by its mother and father (the parents share child-rearing responsibilities). How progressive. 😉
Scraggly little thing isn't he?
After nesting next to a tree for a couple of days the baby decided for a change of scenery and moved next to the A/C unit where he blended quite well into the rocks and leaves. Oh my gosh, is that a baby dinosaur??
It's a baby dinosaur!! Check out that leg!
He looks bigger and stronger already. =)
Yep, he’s getting so big and strong that I’d only have one more day of looking for his latest nesting spot before he flew the coup. This is the last place I saw him and I can only guess as to what adventure he’s on now.
The baby bird re-located multiple times and finally settled on a juniper cave towards the back of the yard.
So this morning as hard as I looked I couldn’t find my baby bird. =( I kept the dogs inside and watched for the parents to come into the yard but still no sign of him. I’m hoping that he either found a way to squeeze through a hole at the bottom of the fence or fly over towards the creek and is continuing to grow big and strong. I did my best to keep him safe (kept the dogs inside for 3 days) and protected him when I had to let the dogs out to use the bathroom. Although I saw his parents sitting on the fence this morning with no sign of baby, I’m going to believe that is because he was strong enough to fly away to make his own way in the world. Yes, I’m sure that’s it. =)
Hmm, I saw the two parents this morning but no sign of baby... I'm sure he was just stretching his wings.
Gosh darn it! Lotus just got sprayed by a skunk again… Ah, nature… =(
Jenny, are there a lot of skunks in your area?
Do they spray the dogs a lot?
And what do you if this happens?
Well I didn’t think so until a neighbor said he’s heard rustling in our front yard late at night so I think we may have one hanging out. =( As far as what to do when they (just Lotus so far) gets sprayed, we have to wipe that area off with a paper towel and then carefully wash just that area. We now have a bottle of skunk odor remover from the store and apply some of that now. It still stinks. =P
For the birds, maybe this (http://www.birdfeedersdirect.com/bird-houses/building-a-bird-house.aspx) will help.
Thanks! I actually attempted to build a wire nest and then gave up when I couldn’t properly secure it to the tree. I think I was using way to thick of wire mesh as well. Fortunately the doves seemed quite content to nest on the ground and the baby grew up quickly so I could give the dogs unrestricted access to the yard again. =)