One Flew Out of My Cuckoo Nest

Apparently it was just time.  About an hour after the first photo, this is where I found the baby.  So I stuck it back in the silly hay bowl while mom watched from above, none too pleased with me, I'm sure, given the steady stream of chip chip chip.  But she didn't dive bomb me or drop anything on my head.  I went about my business with the bunnies and by the time I finished feeding the rabbits, baby had moved up onto the branch I put the nest under.  Which is where I wanted the baby in the first place.  And within another hour, baby and parents took off.  Internet info on cardinal fledging times says they do that at 9 to 11 days old.  Why?  Mom will already be working on another nest.  And we think time with our babies goes by fast! 

Comments

[Heather]

Wow, you are a good woman. We found a baby Blue Jay floudering about our yard, and similar research said that they would do this for 24-48 hours before being able to fly. Nice. Our 5 month old puppy was not allowed out unescorted for that amount of time, either. (CC s gorgeous, btw!)

[Kelly]

Glad you were able to reunite the baby with his mom!

[Jessica]

Awww... he's so cute! Good of you to save him.