If You Had A Twin, But Didn't Realise...
Family Life10 mins ago
Bird behaviour
2 Answers
We have a Thrush with two chicks nesting in a quince bush. In the last two days I have seen a Finch like bird not only sitting on the edge of the nest but also flying from the nest with the Thrush and following it around. I have heard of Robins feeding other bird's chicks but not Finches. Can anyone enlighten me on this behaviour.
Thanks
Pootie
Thanks
Pootie
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It would help if you could identify the bird.
It is not unusual for a bird of the Carduelis genus (goldfinch, redpoll, greenfinch etc.) to feed other species' young, especially when they have lost their own nest of chicks.
There is even authentic evidence that a goldfinch fed goldfish in a pond for a time. Presumably the bright mouth somewhat resembled young chick's beaks and the goldfish soon caught on.
It is not unusual for a bird of the Carduelis genus (goldfinch, redpoll, greenfinch etc.) to feed other species' young, especially when they have lost their own nest of chicks.
There is even authentic evidence that a goldfinch fed goldfish in a pond for a time. Presumably the bright mouth somewhat resembled young chick's beaks and the goldfish soon caught on.
Thanks for the response wildwood.
The two birds in question are a song thrush and a chaffinch ( established with a bit of patience and a pair of bins this morning ) I had the luck to actually see the chaffinch feeding the thrush's chicks and also saw her sitting on the edge of the nest with the mother bird in residence. I also get the impression that their may in fact be a pair of chaffinches involved but I wouldn't swear to it. Ain't nature a wonderful thing.
Thanks again
Pootie
The two birds in question are a song thrush and a chaffinch ( established with a bit of patience and a pair of bins this morning ) I had the luck to actually see the chaffinch feeding the thrush's chicks and also saw her sitting on the edge of the nest with the mother bird in residence. I also get the impression that their may in fact be a pair of chaffinches involved but I wouldn't swear to it. Ain't nature a wonderful thing.
Thanks again
Pootie
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