A few weeks ago I gave my sister a pot of pansies. She has had it on her porch on a table between the chairs that she and her husband sit in to enjoy the outdoors. Last weekend she sent a picture of the nest a robin had built in the pot of pansies. I told her “If I were a robin I would build my nest there.” She wasn’t sure if the robin would lay eggs and raise babies there because she and her husband sit there often. Apparently, the robin is undeterred. 🙂 When I last talked to her there were two eggs in the nest.
If I were a bird I would not want to be a kildeer. On Thursday my husband and I witnessed a pair of kildeer with their three young babies. If you are not familiar with kildeer you can learn more about them here. I didn’t have my camera with me, but I doubt if I would have gotten any good photos as they were always in motion. The babies, which are up and running around within hours of hatching, are so cute, but boy do those parents have their wings full keeping track of the babies. It’s a good thing that both parents raise the young together as they usually have 3-5 babies (running every which way) and while the babies feed themselves, they are unable to fly until they are about 25 days old, thus they need protection from predators.
If I were a bird, I would likely be a chicken – in fact I’m sure I was called a mother hen more than once when my ‘chicks’ were young. 🙂 Much like kildeer, baby chickens are up and out of the nest very quickly. They also eat and drink on their own but rely on their mother (or humans) for warmth and protection. The rooster does not help raise chicks, but mother hens are generally very attentive and protective of their chicks.
We currently have several hens that are broody. If Buff Orpingtons have any fault, it’s their tendency to go broody. About two weeks ago we gave 10 eggs to one of the hens, the Buff Orpington in the corner of the picture below. Since then one of our Jersey Giants (the black hen pictured below) decided to share the parenting responsibilities.
Most of the time when the buff was on the nest the jersey would nestle up beside her. Sometimes the jersey would sneak a couple of the eggs and put them under herself. If the buff would leave the nest the jersey would take over. We did mark the original 10 eggs because sometimes we find an extra egg or two in the nest. Saturday my husband split the eggs giving each hen 5 eggs and so far the hens seem content that they each have their own clutch. We don’t know how long that will last.
We have about a week to wait until the babies are due to hatch. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. I would love to have some little chicks running around and watch momma(s) raising them. I’ll keep you posted.
If you were a bird what kind of bird would you be? What kind of bird would you not want to be?
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Those robins—we had them trying to nest again in the light fixture on our porch! Fingers crossed for your chick babies 😊❤️
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They have begun hatching – three so far. 🙂
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Awesome!
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It is amazing that such a big nest could be built in this pot … that bird is trusting, but it also has a lot of nerve!!
That’s a tough question Ruth – so many beautiful birds, it is hard to hone in one one, but I follow a photographer who frequents Kensington Metropark and she takes the cutest videos of birds eating out of her hand. She uses her phone to capture videos but also uses her camera for still shots. The cutest bird she posts about is a Tufted Titmouse – such a cute face and that tuft of feathers … so sweet. I think a close second would be the Black-capped Chickadee. I do love the Cardinals and Blue Jays but for personality, these little birds win hands down.
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I loved seeing the titmice at our feeder this winter. They are so cute. The chickadees too.
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The nest in the pansies is beautiful. As far as what bird I would choose to be, that is something to think about. Eagles are so majestic and beautiful, soaring high above us . But your chickens are spoiled and loved so maybe I would choose to be one of them.
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Dom has said “when I die, I want to come back as when of my chickens.” LOL! But usually he says “when I die, I want to come back as one of my dogs.”🤣
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Yes they are!
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I’d like to be a bird with a spike on its head – like hoopoes and red-whiskered bulbuls – and use the spike as a handy tool. Those birds look so handsome but they don’t know the value of what they have!
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I had to look up both of these birds because they do not live in our part of the world. Both beautiful indeed!
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I would not like to be a brown headed cowbird who lays eggs in a another bird’s nest. I would like to be a bird that soars in wide arcs, getting a bird’s eye view of the world.
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I like your thoughts, Anne. That cowbird just giving her responsibilities to others just makes me shake my head. We see a lot of those high soaring birds here. The views must be stunning.
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So adorable. Great picture of the flowerpot holding the nest.
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Thanks! I love that picture too.
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Oh, what a cute post! And eggs in the pansies. Darling.
Those Robins like to have a nest anywhere! I dislike them when they make one on my porch light. She was always so messy and flew away every time we opened the door.
Out here, the Quail can have many babies hatch. And they run around immediately after hatching. We currently have 13 running around in the backyard. Both parents watch over them. My friend had a Quail and 21 babies. Wow!
I look forward to seeing your baby chicks, whoever the Momma may be. 😃
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Thanks Nancy. I know robins can be a nuisance and they do tend to invade our spaces and make a mess. Those quail babies must be adorable, but I don’t think I’d want to be a quail. LOL!
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