Post by marioc on May 14, 2021 15:21:20 GMT
Hi, we have a blue tit family in our nest box. Mom laid 9 eggs, 8 of which hatched .. As the chicks grew, I could only actually account for 7 chicks, and presumed one had died. Both parents really attentive and bringing in food.
One week on, and all of a sudden .. DISASTER !! It appears that 5 chicks have died overnight !! Leaving just the two ..
However, just watching the camera this afternoon, and Mom is displaying really strange behaviour ... She is wing flapping erratically inside the box, keeps looking out of the hole but won't leave !! Then she seems to be dismantling the cup, pulling out feathers and soft material from below !!
Is she simply traumatised at having lost so many chicks?
Is she trying to build a new nest cup for the remaining chicks?
Is she being affected by whatever caused her chicks to perish?
She seems very distressed
... Has anyone seen such behaviour before ?
One week on, and all of a sudden .. DISASTER !! It appears that 5 chicks have died overnight !! Leaving just the two ..
However, just watching the camera this afternoon, and Mom is displaying really strange behaviour ... She is wing flapping erratically inside the box, keeps looking out of the hole but won't leave !! Then she seems to be dismantling the cup, pulling out feathers and soft material from below !!
Is she simply traumatised at having lost so many chicks?
Is she trying to build a new nest cup for the remaining chicks?
Is she being affected by whatever caused her chicks to perish?
She seems very distressed
... Has anyone seen such behaviour before ?