Saga of the Shed Robins

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 05, 2007 4:55 pm

Mrs. Robin has been neglectful many times, but it seems Mr. has put his foot down by starting to bring her treats to keep her incubating this week more often!

This afternoon we are delighted to announce the hatching of #1 chick from the Shed Nest!

So 1 are way out of focus, but with overcast skies and the nest near the roof it's hard to get pics. Plus the fact that the first one I thought the thing was dead! I was just ill, thinking that's why dad had eaten the morsel he brought when it appeared it was taken by the chick. When I saw this pic, I thought that was the reason he'd eaten it himself.

Till I saw that Beak in the pic, then I knew all was well!

And of course, I was nervous as a new mommy while Mr. and Mrs. Flew at the shed door attempting to lure me the heck out of there!

renaldo75 · Post by **renaldo75** » Jun 06, 2007 12:29 am

Glad you've hatched your 1st one.

I got the feeling that if you could have, you would have set on that nest when the mom didn't want to be there.

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 06, 2007 10:44 am

You're probably right! It's sure been fun but nerve wracking!

Like an expectant granny that isn't wanted in the labor I suppose!

eastwood2007 · Post by **eastwood2007** » Jun 06, 2007 11:46 am

Wow, amazing pics, Jane! I wish the best for you and your babies!

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 07, 2007 4:22 pm

Thanks Ed & Thanks Carla! It's fun to watch them become a family and the interaction. We've got a video camera on them since we notice the nest and another camera (cheapy) above the nest, but the lighting is no good, so I have to get pics of inside the nest off this little mirror. Difficult and they aren't high quality, but still fun!

Today we find the final egg has hatched, sometime after 5:30 pm yesterday and before 8 this morning. About 27-41 hours between the first and last.

From this picture you hopefully can see the tufts of hair on their bottoms and heads. Starting to look like chicks rather than rodents!

PeggyC · Post by **PeggyC** » Jun 11, 2007 7:24 am

I'm so glad to hear they've all hatched Jane!! Would you be so kind to keep us up to date on how they are doing? How fun!

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 12, 2007 7:37 am

These guys are a riot to watch. I've been careful not to go into the shed, but might try today to get better pics if I can

This was after two were fed, but still they beg!

renaldo75 · Post by **renaldo75** » Jun 12, 2007 11:48 am

Yep - the mouths are always open wide no matter if a parent is around or not. If your mouth isn't open, then you might miss out on a tasty morsel. Survival of the fittest you know.

janey · Post by **janey** » Jun 12, 2007 12:05 pm

Do the parents pick out the egg shells and discard them? Dumb question, I know, but I had a nest of baby robbins in my garage rafters last spring, and I know the babies hatched and were fine, but I never saw any of the shells on the floor....plenty (!!!!) of the oopy stuff, but none of the shells.

Just sign me
Dumb in Dowagiac.

Gardentoad · Post by **Gardentoad** » Jun 12, 2007 12:36 pm

The adults eat the shells.

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 12, 2007 2:51 pm

Actually, they carry the shells away from the nest and drop them, so that a predator doesn't know where the nest is.

The grossest thing is the adults eat the feces sacks of the young for some time. I heard a few days, but these are till eating the sacks and we are on day 5-7 depending on the chick.

It was neat to watch after one would hatch, mom would hand dad the egg to dispel of, then nestling in careful with the new one.

Also interesting is how they know who's been fed each round. One to two get fed each trip, but, somehow the parents must know, b/c they are all seeming growing well.

Most eyes are open now too.

janey · Post by **janey** » Jun 12, 2007 5:25 pm

Ohhhhh....I think I'm sorry I asked.

Actually, I do think now I remember hearing about the shells being carried away as preditor protection, which one has to admit, is very smart.

As for the feeding habits of new parents.....I guess you get it where you can. And I suppose those sacs are full of nutrients...

Nature is truly amazing!

However, I'm glad I'm human.

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 13, 2007 7:45 pm

A couple more shots from today. #2 is especially for you, Janey.

Hope you've eaten dinner already

Hopefully you can see these okay. It's getting dark as the sun is at a bad angle this time of day.

1st, Mr. or Mrs. is on KP duty after feeding. It's funny to watch actually. They lift their little bums up and this white and black bubble comes out and the parent picks it up and up till today, eats it. Today is the first time I've seen one carried away rather than eaten, so perhaps they aren't as nutritious as they were the last several days! UCKY!

2nd one, you can see their eyes are now open.

janey · Post by **janey** » Jun 13, 2007 8:24 pm

Uh....gee, Jane. Thanks ever so much for sharing.

I'm sure I speak for everyone in thanking you too, for the very descriptive narrative accompanying the photos.

I hope everyone had had their dinner.

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 13, 2007 9:29 pm

No Problem

renaldo75 · Post by **renaldo75** » Jun 13, 2007 10:10 pm

I hadn't yet...

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 14, 2007 5:25 am

Sorry!

You weren't really interested in eating anyway, were you now?

PeggyC · Post by **PeggyC** » Jun 14, 2007 8:26 am

Very cool photos and fascinating narrative! Thanks Jane!

wishiwere · Post by **wishiwere** » Jun 14, 2007 11:53 am

I can't believe how fast they are growing now! Took this rather quickly, mostly, as I wasn't sure it would turn out. I held the camera over the nest, above my head, and didn't want to disturb them. MY goodness, they've grown and inch over night!

Only one is getting fed at a time now, since those little guys can down an entire worm on their own now.

You'd think they'd choke!

JaneG · Post by **JaneG** » Jun 15, 2007 8:38 am

Oh, those pictures of the beaks open waiting for a bite from momma are so cute!!

Thanks for the fun thread!

Hallson Gardens

Saga of the Shed Robins

Saga of the Shed Robins

Morning has risen!