Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Single parenthood

We've been enjoying watching the sparrows at our bird houses this year.  One particular male worked very hard at building a proper nest inside of one house. 
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Then he spent what we think were weeks singing trying to attract a mate with no luck.  Next thing we knew he was remodeling: pulling out old grass putting in new.  
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Finally he enticed a female.  Hooray. 

 She laid eggs, they hatched and then comes the work of feeding the nestlings.  
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12 hours a day Momma and Daddy fed the chicks.  
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Mr Sparrow brought seed and housecleaned (took out the birdsh*t).  
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Mrs Sparrow headed across the road looking for protein (bugs).  
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Unfortunately, one morning only Daddy Sparrow was working 
and Momma wasn't seen again. 
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Dad is still working 12 hours a day feeding the babes nonstop – he's able to squeeze thru the birdhouse entry easier now.  Hope he has the endurance. 


We had hoped that maybe momma found a fellow with a better nest that wouldn't work her as hard but as dedicated as she was to the chicks, probably not.  We see loose cats in the neighborhood and some are hunters. 

Hooray!  4 days later the nestlings have flown the nest.  Rest for dad!   Can see a few fluffy squeaky birds still begging for seeds but the really ARE on their own now.