Baby Mockingbirds Died In My Yard - Why??? (1 Viewer)

[moonunit]

I feel like this is more of a grief posting. About a week ago I noticed that two birds were feeding some babies in a nest in our yard. Yesterday they started to come out of the nest. I took a few pictures of them. Then this morning one of the babies was dead in our pool and another was just dead in the yard. I feel so bad. I can't believe I wasn't around to get the baby out of the pool and I can't imagine what killed the other one. What would kill a baby and leave it? I feel like I should have done something to protect them - I never dreamed they would fall into the pool. How awful. The parents seem to be gone. I hope there were more babies and that they survived. I feel very sad because I watched these birds every day. Can anyone provide me with some insight?

 

[Corvus cornix]

Hi,

The mortality rate for young birds is extremely high. It may be that covering your pool with some netting could have helped prevent the young bird falling into it, but there's no guarantee this would have prevented the death. The birds may have been weak individuals, possibly suffering from internal parasites, disease or from some other factor. The chances are that there were other young in he nest and the parents have moved them somewhere else.

Don't feel bad about it, there's almost certainly nothing you could have done to help. Mockingbirds can have 2-3 broods a year, so they may attempt in your garden again. It's upsetting to see such a sad fate for birds you've watched for a long time, but sadly, that's nature. Let's hope they try again and are more successful next time.

Cheers.

 

[moonunit]

Thank you so much for your reply. I really needed to hear that. I have felt bad all day. Thank you!!

 

[Mmm—-]

Most definitely keep your dogs away from these bird babies ( if you have)
I’m so sad . There were 4 of them , 2 already gone, 1 in the ground trying to fly my neighbor dog run after it , oh my god. I ran after that dog screaming , it didn’t seem he even hit it but by the time we reached the bird it seems his wings were not ok & his neck
I just place it back to his nest for the bird mum to do whatever she suppose
I just don’t know how to tell if that bird is dead