Two birds in the mailbox tonight, should I try to make them more comfortable?
Tim Mayberry
standards. Supposed to get down to 17� F tonight.
Whilst leaving out the front door I noticed something odd in the mailbox.
First I thought it was a dead bird, but on closer inspection, it appears to
be two birds, probably Carolina Wrens, snuggled up together in one corner of
the mailbox.
My first thought is, of course, "Aw, they're cold and snuggling for warmth.
Maybe I should try to help them."
Is there anything I could/should do to make them comfortable, or should I
just let nature run it's course? The mailbox is up against the house, so I
suppose there's some residual warmth coming off the house to the mailbox.
Should I shut the top at least? I don't want to freak them out or make them
feel trapped. I thought about putting a lamp outside and shining on the
mailbox to warm it up? Drop something warm on top of them? Cut some suet up
for breakfast in the morning?
Or should I just let it all alone?
Here's a link to a pic:
http://pages.suddenlink.net/fantod/Two%20cold%20birds.JPG
If nothing else, it's good for an "awwww" moment! I've got tons of food in
the backyard (seed & suet) and thawed water in a heated birdbath. I'd like
to make them as comfortable as possible, but it looks like they're already
doing that!
Tim
--
------------------------
If you bring lions to your home,
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RJP
> Is there anything I could/should do to make them comfortable, or should I
> just let nature run it's course? The mailbox is up against the house, so I
> suppose there's some residual warmth coming off the house to the mailbox.
> Should I shut the top at least? I don't want to freak them out or make them
> feel trapped. I thought about putting a lamp outside and shining on the
> mailbox to warm it up? Drop something warm on top of them? Cut some suet up
> for breakfast in the morning?
> Or should I just let it all alone?
I think the wisest course is to let them be. If you do anything,
there is a chance you will frighten them away, and that will
definitely make things worse. Carolina Wrens are pretty tough - we
have had them around our house up near the southern end of Lake
Michigan through some pretty rough winters. I think they will do fine
tonight where they are.
Maybe tomorrow during the day, you might think about partly covering
the top of the box, or something similar, while they are out and
about.
Randy
Rick
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Rick
Fargo, ND
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W 096�48'279"
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Larry Sheldon
I'm pretty sure leaving them alone is the right answer, but if I knew
where there were some _dry_ leaves I might be tempted to add them to the
collection.
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"Larry Sheldon" <lfsh...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:7qd0ll...@mid.individual.net...
.> I'm pretty sure leaving them alone is the right answer, but if I knew
> where there were some _dry_ leaves I might be tempted to add them to the
> collection.
>
> --
And we would hold you responsible. Let things be.
Larry Sheldon
I won't argue with that.
But if I did understand the story they were not disturbed by people
walking by.
Do all birds do the torpor thing that hummingbirds are said to do?
bthache
I'd have to agree with Randy that the best time to do ANYthing for them
is when they are gone, adding something to the box for insulation or
protection and then see if they come back and use the box again.
Happy New Year to you!
Tammie in Northern Ontario