This spring, we had three different broods of birds, house finches. It is so interesting to watch these families. Just like people, they have different personalities. The first was a more experienced couple. Both the mother and father contributed. They were confident and kept a clean house.
I went out to water my geraniums. I set the hanging plant on the ground. I saw what I thought was grass and tried to pick it up to throw it out of the pot, but it was a nest with three eggs in it. Oops! So, I immediately put it back and hoped the mama bird would come back.
A few minutes later, I heard a ruckus outside, and the mother and father were perched on the pot, looking down and carrying on back and forth. I imagined the conversation. One said, “I told you this was not a good place to build our nest!” The other replied, “No, it is fine, see! The eggs are still there! Everything is good! Just chill out!” She later added two more and incubated five eggs in all. All five baby birds survived. At one point, when the birds were first hatched, I noticed them out there with another couple, all perched around the pot looking at the nest and babies. It was funny. But it seemed like they wanted to show these other birds what they had. Maybe they were trying to educate a younger couple on how to do things properly.
Click here to see pictures of birds in a flower pot
We had two more broods with fewer eggs, little help from the fathers, and mamas who were more nervous. They also made a huge mess. I did not get any pictures of the second. They were burrowed further down in a pot, so we could not see them well enough to get a good photo. I got a few of the third. They were in our carport area on a security camera. It was dark, so that made it difficult. Also, the mama was very nervous. I was afraid she would leave and not come back if I messed around too much. These birds stayed in the nest until much later. You can see in the photos.
Click here to see photos of baby birds in the carport area
I read that they will often move to a tree before they are fully grown. I think the ones in the pot did that. I later saw the whole family at the feeder. For a long time, they hung around the front porch, like a big, cheerful family.
We had such a great time worrying and watching over these birds. During a few storms, the pot was swirling and blowing everywhere, but all we could do was look out the window and worry. Dane saw the mama teaching one that was struggling to learn to fly.