female sparrow taken by jackdaw, has chicks, male calling her

[miaverline]

will he abandon the nest, he is calling his mate, a jackdaw attacked them and flew off with the female, the male is left has been calling for her all afternoon, can hear chicks they are fine, he is not feeding them but calling for mate, is heartbreaking, but female not returned, am sure she is dead. do you think he will abandon nest ????

[wizzo]

Wow this a new one on me. Are you certain it was a Jackdaw. Please keep us posted as to what happens. Thanks - Wizzo

[Dogghound]

Possibly depending on how old the chicks are or he may manage to rear a reduced brood. The issue is really incubation and foraging can one bird do both? it depends on the age of the young. Sparrows have multiple broods so its possible he will repair with an unmated female and have another brood or two later. Thats nature though im afraid.

[wizzo]

Sorry but I totally misread the post. I thought it said Sparrow Hawk. I was gonna say! Still, sad for you to witness. Wizzo

[faz]

hi welcome to WAB nature is tough so no i dont hold much hope but as others have said he will find a new mate and start again not sounding to negative he /she may raise the brood let us know

[miaverline]

chicks have been there approx 2 wks, and are very loud, can hear them calling when dad near, no sign as of yet, this happened about 5 hours ago. am hoping he will rear them, as they are in the eaves of my house and will be so sad to think of them not being fed, is there anything i can do if he vanishes? couldnt believe the jackdaw flew off with the mother, there were about 4 sparrows on roof all going beserk at 2 jackdaws, heard noise and a split second he was gone with her, any food i can put out which is better for rearing chicks? I have nutty bread, soaked in a little milk first, fat ball, and seed. also water.

[miaverline]

Originally Posted by wizzo

Wow this a new one on me. Are you certain it was a Jackdaw. Please keep us posted as to what happens. Thanks - Wizzo

was definately a jackdaw, there were two on roof, with a seagull, and 4 sparrows, the seagull chased the jackdaw when he took off with the sparrow,

[miaverline]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Possibly depending on how old the chicks are or he may manage to rear a reduced brood. The issue is really incubation and foraging can one bird do both? it depends on the age of the young. Sparrows have multiple broods so its possible he will repair with an unmated female and have another brood or two later. Thats nature though im afraid.

i hope so, fingers crossed, they are about 2 weeks old, maybe a little less, am hopeful he will find a mate to rear, or rear himself, but they are very loud, think in a few days will be fledging, just hope the jackdaws are not around

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by miaverline

any food i can put out which is better for rearing chicks? I have nutty bread, soaked in a little milk first, fat ball, and seed. also water.

Dont give them milk, milk is mammalian and is not great for birds. Insects are best for sparrows they feed the chicks on invertebrates like caterpillars, spiders etc. Maybe if you can get small worms or maggots this may help. In the long run building a pond would benefit sparrows greatly.

[miaverline]

thank u, next door has a pond thank u for replying