Phoebe Babies!

[Quito's Qage]

We have a Phoebe nest under the eaves on one of our sheds, which is about 25 feet from the house. For a while we were afraid that our backyard activities had caused the parents to abandon the nest, since we hadn't seen them actually on the nest for a couple of days. I took a handheld mirror (you can't position your head above the nest to get a look inside because it's too restricted) and checked the nest, and there were four eggs in it. I gingerly felt them, and they felt cool to the touch.

We were heartbroken and confused, because Phoebes are usually very tolerant of human activity near the nest. I decided to just leave things alone, and see what happened. That was about a week ago. Since then, we still haven't managed to actually see a parent on the nest, but they've been all around the back yard, going about their fly-catching business, perching on the fences and lawn chairs, and pooping all over them.

Yesterday I decided to check the nest again. I was thrilled to see four little balls of breathing fluff! Would love to get a pic of them, but it would be tricky with a mirror, and possibly disruptive. So, we're trying not to spend any more time than necessary near the nest. It's uncanny though, how they are able to spend the needed time on the nest, but yet every time you look, they aren't there! Clever little birds!

[MaskedBird57]

Aww Did the parents ever come back? Nice post!

[CrazyBirdLady]

Glad they hatched out the little guys. Soon you'll have 4 little acrobats out looking for bugs with mom and dad!

[Quito's Qage]

Yes, the parents came back, but we can never seem to spot them in the nest. The parents are all around the back yard catching flies. Yep, can't wait till the babies are out and about!

We've also got a Chickadee nesting in a bird house out in the front yard!