I've walked out on my deck a few times the past couple of days, and whoosh! something zooms by! What IS that??!
Oh I see! It's a bird! Where indeed is it coming from? After several of these zestful zoomings, I decide to search the deck for a bird's nest, and I almost miss it. There it is! in a pot of parsley, oh so camouflaged.
Oh I see! It's a bird! Where indeed is it coming from? After several of these zestful zoomings, I decide to search the deck for a bird's nest, and I almost miss it. There it is! in a pot of parsley, oh so camouflaged.
Why are there 5 eggs in the nest and one out? I have no idea. (Yes, I CAN count. There really are 5!)
(I will no longer traumatize this bird trying to get a better photo.)
I spent some time searching online and this is what I think the bird is --a Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). It has the markings, the slightly buff-colored chest, and the downward curved beak.
I found information about them fascinating.
a few facts:
► A Carolina wren pair mates for life.
► live in open woodland or brushy suburbia.
► stay together on their territory year round.
► mostly forage the ground for insects and move around together. They do climb vines and trees poking around for insects.
► DIET: mostly insects and spiders; occasionally eat lizards, frogs, and snakes. They also consume a small amount of plant matter, such as fruit pulp and seeds from bayberry, sweetgum, or poison ivy.
► NESTING: female and male build their nest together, sometimes making more than one before choosing the perfect one. The nest itself is usually cup shaped, domed and with a side entrance. The nest is loosely constructed of a great variety of materials such as bark strips, dried grasses, dead leaves, pine needles, hair, feathers, straw, shed snakeskin, paper, plastic, or string. Nest material may be added after incubation has begun.
Carolina wrens usually build their nest about 3-6 feet off the ground in cavities. Near homes they make use of a variety of cavity-like spaces, such as pots and boots.
Carolina wrens usually build their nest about 3-6 feet off the ground in cavities. Near homes they make use of a variety of cavity-like spaces, such as pots and boots.
► sounds: Only the male sings with a repertoire of about 15 different songs. Both male and female have many different calls. Hear it! (Scroll down to "calls" and click on the ►)
LINK:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds --I found this site to be the most helpful.
I'm linking up with my favorite teacher, Ms Jenny Matlock! See others' completed homework assignments HERE. Come join in! This week our letter is "Z." I am proud to say that I posted for every letter this round! A new round starts next week! Letter A. So get your thinking caps on!
It'll be fun when the babies hatch!
ReplyDeletecool. I hope the little eggs remain safe until it's their time to hatch.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, that is too cute! I would be watching them all the time to see when they hatch! How wonderful! :)
ReplyDeleteI love to see photos of birds and their nests. I always think how vulnerable they must feel then and send up a little prayer for a successful hatching!
ReplyDeleteI love bird watching and I love this! How sweet these two set up housekeeping in your planter. Love the facts you shared. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteoh what a fabulous post!!! and what wonderful photos!!! I enjoyed this greatly!
ReplyDeleteawesome eggs -- I'm sure Mom and Pop will be keeping a keen eye on you and your comings and goings! thanks for stopping by. back at ya on the pix.
ReplyDeleteSue
Nice pictures, a beautiful nest.
ReplyDeleteHow neat! I love learning more about wildlife. Great post :)
ReplyDeleteWow...nesting in a potted plant? That's a pretty great thing to find!
ReplyDeleteFun idea for Z! I agree that it will be fun to watch the babies hatch.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from Jenny Matlock - thanks for this interesting post about your feathered neighbors!
ReplyDeleteDear Margaret,
ReplyDeleteFirst let me say...great pictures!! WOW, very interesting to see how a mother will do anything to protect her young. She knew you are a great lady and that is why she decided to build a home near you (smile). Great Z word today!!
Margaret,
ReplyDeleteI forgot to invite you to the second Blog Hop Saturday! on June 2nd. Everyone is welcome, bring your friends. All you need do is linkup, visit a few/all of the others in the Linky & just have fun...hope you can join us!
What a fun place to build a nest! I bet it smells lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun place to build a nest! I bet it smells lovely!
ReplyDeleteI love birds, ...and the Carolina wren. Before I saw what kind of bird this was, I guessed it! One built a nest like this in my aloe vera plant last year. I didn't discover it until watering my plants - and the momma wren flew out! I didn't know they mated for life. I just did a post with a few pix of crooning crows on my Joy4Today blog.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, how fascinating! I wonder if a bird will ever nest in our parsley!
ReplyDeleteAmazing shot of the bird, btw. I just know how difficult it is to get a photo of them!!
What a find! I hope you'll take photos of the babies when they hatch!
ReplyDeleteSo cute!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week ahead!
That's a sneaky little place to build a nest :) That's funny about the egg out of the nest :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome info! I know sometimes birds 'boot' out one egg because they know there won't be room for that many....Be sure to share more of this story:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice surprise. But couldn't she have picked a spot that was higher off the ground? Harry Potter would be all over that container.
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! I have been looking outside my window lately onto my deck, usually there's a bird's nest this time of year underneath. Great camouflage, I didn't see it in the first picture at all!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful post!
ReplyDeleteThis really made me smile!
I love how birds zip around sometimes...unless they're dive bombing me, that is.
Thanks for another great link to Alphabe-Thursday! It has been such a joy visiting you this round!
Hugs and A+