My wife called me to the back door to show me this little mockingbird, perched on an old wooden rocker. I watched and took pictures; several times the mother came to feed the young one. After a while, it hopped/flew to the ground and went into the shrubbery and disappeared. I hope it has found a safe place, but I fear not. There are feral and outdoor cats in the neighborhood that would make a quick meal of it if they find it.
Is this bird old enough to fly? How did it get in our yard from wherever the nest is (possibly in our shrubbery)? Maybe I worry excessively about this, but my inclination is to let nature run her course, and I could only make it worse by interfering.
Nope, this one isn't old enough. Maybe you can find the nest and put it back in. They are usually well hidden in the thickest part of the shrubbery. Watch the parents as they may still be returning to the nest to feed other young.
What's natural about a feral or domestic cat killing a bird? I'd see about finding the nest too, though I wouldn't necessarily lose a lot of sleep over it.
I might be mistaken but I thought quite a few birds, when in the process of fledging, leave the nest a little early. Often times they'll hole up under thick cover where the parents continue to care for them until they are strong and flighted enough to fly.
We get a lot of Black-billed Magpies like this - kinda motley looking and hopping around until they are strong enough to fly and perch.
Probably don't put it back in the nest. If you see any feral cats in your backyard, chase them away. Also encourage your neighbors to not let their cats outside.
Every Spring I have a large number of nests here at the ranch. I see these young birds all of the time. This one is too young to fly and was probably spooked and fell out of the nest. It's pretty simple. You have two choices. You can put it back in the nest, or you can let it get eaten by something bigger. Here, a Coyote is more likely to get it. They are much smarter than cats, and that is why we have no feral cats.
Discussion
6 repliesIs this bird old enough to fly? How did it get in our yard from wherever the nest is (possibly in our shrubbery)? Maybe I worry excessively about this, but my inclination is to let nature run her course, and I could only make it worse by interfering.
We get a lot of Black-billed Magpies like this - kinda motley looking and hopping around until they are strong enough to fly and perch.
I'd probably leave it be as well.