I can't address the phoebe behavior but I'm concerned about the bluebirds that
have taken my bluebird box, after 2 summers of avoiding it. These parents put
me in mind of the phoebe mother. I was gone the week after Easter but noticed
the bluebirds had taken the box upon my return. However, that's now been a
month and I've seen no signs of chicks. The parents still guard the box and the
female regularly goes in and out, I assume to incubate eggs, but this seems an
inordinately long time. I know there are no chicks because the parents have not
begun the frantic feeding frenzy, nor do I hear chick noises. I'm concerned
about the female being on the eggs for so long.
Ann Donaldson
Barboursville
-----Original Message-----
From: MARLENECONDON--- via va-bird <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: va-bird <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thu, May 25, 2017 6:59 pm
Subject: [Va-bird] VERY STRANGE phoebe behavior--have you seen this?
Today my phoebe chicks FINALLY fledged--they had hatched from eggs on May
6! Is anyone aware of phoebes being in the nest for such a long time?
Additionally, the female phoebe started building her second nest ON THE
SAME SHELF the chicks were still on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Has anyone else
ever seen this? Instead of feeding the chicks that were overdue to leave,
she just started making another nest yesterday while they watched her.
Her mate continued to feed the young at the nest until they finally left this
morning, although some of them returned to the nest a few times before
finally exiting my porch!!!!! These chicks really did not want to leave home!
This has been an extremely strange year for several species of birds in my
yard. In fact, my July Crozet Gazette article will document some of the
unusual events, in case you are interested. Meanwhile, if you have seen
this kind of phoebe behavior, I would deeply appreciate hearing about it.
Thanks!
Sincerely,
Marlene
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