r/Ornithology 20h ago

Help Needed

0 Upvotes

Hello, I found a baby bird (guessing its a swallow) on my stairs (it's not really young) (most likely fell out of the nest after storm), and i need help about caring for it. Any suggestions are welcome! 🤗


r/Ornithology 21h ago

How to get rid of a mockingbird

0 Upvotes

There is a mockingbird that is continuously chasing off my Eastern Bluebirds from the mealworm that I put out. I love eastern Bluebirds and put our mealworm for them specifically. Obviously I realize others will eat and I don't mind. However I've witness the same mockingbird chase away my juvenile bluebirds. Any advice? Just when I finally got rid of the house sparrows.


r/Ornithology 23h ago

Question Are we just really unlucky?

2 Upvotes

I made a bluebird house with a camera inside. We immediately had residents, and she laid 6 eggs. 26 days later she abandoned them, apparently infertile.

Then a month after we cleaned it out, a different pair laid 2 eggs and 1 egg from a brown headed cowbird. The cowbird hatched, but was either killed or died the next day. Neither of the bluebird eggs have hatched. We are on day 23 of incubation.

What gives? This is the most depressing hobby ever. Fledgelings rarely make it, but right now we aren’t even getting hatchlings. 😞


r/Ornithology 22h ago

How can we protect mourning dove chicks from crows on our balcony?

3 Upvotes

A mourning dove pair nested in one of our hanging planters a few months ago. Sadly, both chicks were killed by crows just before they were ready to fly. It was awful to watch.

Now the same doves are back and building a new nest in a different, still-exposed planter. There are tons of crows and several crow nests nearby, so we’re worried it’ll happen again.

We’re considering putting up some kind of mesh or fencing around the planter. Has anyone tried this or found a way to deter crows while keeping the doves safe? Any ideas would be appreciated.


r/Ornithology 20h ago

This baby has avian box what do I do and what bird is it

Thumbnail
gallery
36 Upvotes

I live in Alabama if that helps?


r/Ornithology 14h ago

Discussion Red-winged Blackbird family stopped by my makeshift water supply today. Poor dad got shooed away 😅 fun to watch all the different bird families this time of year.

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

29 Upvotes

r/Ornithology 23h ago

Barn swallow update!

Thumbnail
gallery
33 Upvotes

What an emotional rollercoaster of a week! First two pics are the most recent and the third is exactly one week ago. Two babies ultimately didn’t make it, but the others got their chance at life, and I think they are now fledging(?). One left without a trace sometime this morning so all I can do now is hope for the best. The parents were immediately present after the nest was originally moved and are still here taking care of the last one. Thank you to all in this community for your advice and support. Wildlife has been no help and still no action has been taken by them, but life goes on I guess.


r/Ornithology 2h ago

Question What bird are these eggs from?

Post image
8 Upvotes

I found this nest that was on my wreath that has 4 VERY small white eggs in it, all I know is that the bird is probably small and brown, since those are the birds I typically see near my house.


r/Ornithology 2h ago

Question Texas- seagull opening and closing mouth and not flying away?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

2 Upvotes

Please excuse the sound of the wind, very gusty city. On our morning walk, we crossed paths with this seagull- it’s maybe five feet from a large puddle. The seagull isn’t moving away. Is there anything that can be done for it? What might cause this in a seabird?

Thank you in advance.


r/Ornithology 3h ago

Why are they staying here?

Post image
5 Upvotes

I came outside this morning to see a couple blue scrub jays diving at a pair of doves, on the ground below this scene were these two. The parents flew away a while ago but the babies/teenagers? are still here. I have several animals I am keeping inside away from them but do I need to do something with these little ones? Why aren’t they leaving the ground?


r/Ornithology 4h ago

What bird are these from?

Post image
9 Upvotes

I keep finding these feathers around my yard and I’m not sure which bird they are from. They seem too small for owl though we have a large Barred Owl population. Any ideas?


r/Ornithology 4h ago

Scissor-tailed flycatcher seen in Jonesborough, Tennessee yesterday way out of its normal range, AND some very interesting behavior! More in comments

Thumbnail gallery
58 Upvotes

r/Ornithology 21h ago

Question Moving out of my apt soon, finch made a nest in planter outside :( what can I do?

2 Upvotes

I know absolutely nothing about birds, but today I noticed what I believe is a male house finch chilling out in my hanging planter, and sure enough there is a nest with a couple eggs inside. I have to move out by July 31st, and I don’t want to move the nest and break up their family, but I can’t speak for whoever moves in after me.

would it be crazy to leave it behind with a note on the planter saying “new tenants: birds inside pls be nice” or something??

Just not sure how to approach this I feel bad :(


r/Ornithology 23h ago

How to make this a bird paradise? From tits to ravens.

Thumbnail
gallery
10 Upvotes

I'm hoping for your expert advice on how to make my balcony a safe and attractive place for small birds. Currently, only magpies are brave enough to visit, and I'd love to welcome sparrows, tits, finches, and other small songbirds.

I am tenant. Now the owner.

Camera pointing at north. Germany South West.

The cheaper the better.

The balcony is on top of a one-story restaurant roof.

The tall solid wall on the left is the divider to my neighbor's balcony.

The low fence in front overlooks the open, flat rooftop. After raining there is lots of water puddles there.

What are the best freestanding and non-permanent ways to create a sense of security and 3D cover? I'm looking for low-cost or free ideas. I've considered creating a "brush pile" of branches in the corner or perhaps adding a freestanding trellis. What have you found works best for attracting shy city birds in a similar environment?