Blackbird Nest Disaster

[Synn]

We've had a Blackbird pair with their nest in a confier tree in the back garden, it had some hatched chicks in it and today/last night the nest fell down the tree about 2 foot.

I only found it about an hour ago, the 3 chicks had fell out and were dead and very cold, I was wondering if I put the nest back up the tree would the parent birds come back and use it again?

[astarsdad]

Hi
I would doubt it very much that the birds would use the nest again. It's a shame!

[valleyforge]

Originally Posted by Synn

I was wondering if I put the nest back up the tree would the parent birds come back and use it again?

Hi Synn,

Probably not ... and it's always better if they rebuild themselves any nests that fail through natural causes ... in that way inexperienced nest builders can learn to get it right next time. It's still early enough in the season for them to be able to raise another brood this year.

Incidentally, the normal blackbird clutch is four ... is it possible you overlooked a casualty ... or maybe one of them survived the trauma of the fall? If it did, then for sure try replacing it in the nest if it can be secured in a more stable position in the tree.

Were the youngsters almost fledged, still quite 'fluffy', or even 'naked'?

[Synn]

Originally Posted by valleyforge

Incidentally, the normal blackbird clutch is four ... is it possible you overlooked a casualty ... or maybe one of them survived the trauma of the fall? If it did, then for sure try replacing it in the nest if it can be secured in a more stable position in the tree.

Were the youngsters almost fledged, still quite 'fluffy', or even 'naked'?

I went out and had another look, couldn't find anymore chicks, and haven't seen the parent birds around.

The chicks were only 4-5 days old and were mostly 'naked' with light feathers on their head and their wings, two were noticeably bigger than the other one as well.

[FUDGEY]

Thats a shame, but 9 out of 10 blackbirds fail. Thats what I read once anyway.

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

Thats a shame, but 9 out of 10 blackbirds fail. Thats what I read once anyway.

There are lots of statistics here: BTO BirdFacts - Blackbird

In brief, under - Breeding and Survival:

Juvenile Survival: 0.564 (in First-Year)

Age at First Breeding: 1 year..............Typical Lifespan: 3 years

Just imagine what would happen if most of this year's chicks lived to breed next year - and their parents produced another family next year too!!!

[greenace233]

hi
I had a nest and they all just disappeared all apart from one which i found dead (11 days old). I have left the nest well alone. Blackbirds can have up to 4 broods in one season and both parents work very hard to feed the youngsters. They are very territorial so they will be back in a few weeks to try again. debbie

[twitchyt]

Out of all the commoner garden birds the blackbird is the one l worry over the most, despite putting up feeders with seed, nuts, fat blocks with mealy,s in, they naturally prefer to spend a lot of time on the ground grubbing, quite bold and reckless with it, re cats nearby, and in some areas more likely to get foot or wing damage from dumped rubbish.
l look up at nearby tree perch in morning to see or hear them, all is well phew