Baby Barn Swallow fell from nest

I'm so lucky to have a barn swallow nest above my front door for the 2nd year in a row. This is their 2nd clutch of eggs. I stepped out and saw a tiny baby bird (still eyes closed) on the concrete below covered in ants. It was still moving and so I got a ladder and put it back in its nest. When I make noise its 3 siblings peek out for food but I don't see him. It's only a few short days old from what I would guess.

Did I do the right thing? Suddenly I'm worried that if it dies up there, that it will attract parasites or something yucky that will harm the healthy birds. Or will Mom and Dad push it out?

Thanks,

Christine

Christine, they die very quickly when they're so young, so it's unlikely it would have picked up any parasites, as it was alive when you discovered it. Did you remove the ants?

I removed the ants. I think parasites was the wrong term. I'm thinking if it dies in the nest that there would be some sort of bug or maggot that will come in to eat up the body. I don't want that to cause problems with the other babies.

If it dies, will the mother likely just push it out anyway?

I'm thinking of getting a ladder and peaking in there again to see if it has died. If so I'll just remove it.

Actually I just stepped outside and the baby was lying on the sidewalk again. It's dead. So, I am guessing there was something wrong with it to start with and Mom was already trying to protect the others. Poor little thing. But, there will be three others to enjoy. Hopefully they are all OK.

How sad. You gave it your best shot. Yes, there probably was something wrong with it. RIP to the unfortunate little one. Enjoy the others.

Thanks. The wonderful irony is that I just moved into the suburbs from the country last year and was really sad to lose out on my bird friends. However I quickly noticed the barn swallows and now even a bluebird has been checking out the nest box in my back yard. There are few trees here as this is a new neighborhood of only 4-5 years old (and they bulldozed everything and added tiny trees back in the front yards :-( ), however I guess the resident birds are making do with what is here now. It's fun. :)

Now if I can just get more butterflies and hummingbirds ;-)

It will be interesting to see what birds (and other critters) start to visit or inhabit as the area you live in matures. Lots of butterfly and hummer-attracting plants would be beneficial. Sounds promising if you've got an interested Bluebird. How beautiful they are. I've spent many hours on BB & hummingbird sites.

Our neighbor has a pair nesting now, so it is promising. But he told me I should move my house to south facing. I'd forgotten that.

I have planted flowers for hummers and butterflies. I even picked up some fennel and parsley for the black swallowtail cats to eat. :)

I had a wonderful butterfly garden at a previous home in the 'burbs. I lived there 8 years and eventually it was a little paradise. :)

You'll recreate it where you are now.

Well. . .it's so sad. Another one on the ground today. I wonder if it's too hot for Mom and Dad and trying to find enough bugs?

I'm close to DFW and they built under my front porch which has 3 sides brick only open in the front. I've seen the adults sitting up there at times with their mouths open panting. It's hit 100 at least once here.



This message was edited Jun 23, 2008 9:31 PM

So sorry Christine. You feel so powerless in situations like that. Birds will nest where they choose and if they nested there successfully last year and there's been no dramatic change in the surroundings, then the deaths will probably remain a mystery. If they continue to nest there with the same sad outcome, maybe it would be an idea to deconstruct the nest and see what they do from there. However, I'm not an expert. Maybe someone else will have a better idea. If your neighbour is having successes, maybe s/he could have a look at the general area and see if any type of problem can be identified.

Can you rig up a very large tray of water just outside the porch, where the parents can get a drink easily?

Resin

Hey that's an idea!

I came out today and one of the 2 remaining babies was hanging by one foot! Poor little thing. I ran and got a ladder and placed it back in the nest. Off to get some water for them now; great idea thanks.