Baby Willie Wagtails - at last
Willie Wagtail
I have been puzzled throughout the spring about the absence of a Willie Wagtail nest in our garden. The resident adults have been flitting around all through the spring with no sign of a nest anywhere. Everyone else seemed to be busy raising their families. There have been nests everywhere and more recently baby birds calling to be fed all over the garden.
Willie Wagtail
But not the Willie Wagtails. They usually nest within about twenty metres from the house for some reason. There are many suitable trees further a field but they insist on keeping close to home - our home that is. Despite thorough searches I have been unable to locate a nest this spring. Two days ago I observed both adults giving one of our Australian Magpies a very hard time, swooping and harassing the magpie until it flew away. A-ha I thought. There must be a nest somewhere nearby - but where?
Willie Wagtail (baby)
Today we discovered two lovely recently fledged baby Willie Wagtails keeping their parents busy bringing them food. Whenever we approached too close the parents would tell us off in a very noisy manner. Keep away they seemed to be saying.
Despite even more searching I still didn’t find that nest.
Related articles:
- Why do baby birds disappear - an article about baby bird deaths.
- Babies, the birds and the bees - a list of species nesting in our garden this year.
- My photo gallery - many more bird photos.
Blog Entries
December 23rd, 2006 at 10:49 am
Dear Trevor
My nextdoor neighbour has been asked to care for two baby pigeons which fell out of a nest for a short while. However she does not know what to feed them. Could you offer some advice. It would be much appreciated. Thanks
A Couple of Birdlovers
January 1st, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Hi there Bev. Sorry about the delay in replying. I have replied to your question via email.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
hi, i had a nest right next to my house, everyday i went out to see how the eggs were going, however today i went out and found out half the nest was destroyed, 1 egg was missing, 1 egg was opened and (i think) eaten by a crow or something.
and there was one whole egg, i have it in a nest shape “bowl” kind of thing, made from dog hairs, under a 60w lamp. if it hatches, what am i supposed to feed it, and how do i teach it to fly, catch food etc.
please post back, thank you heaps.
ps i havn’t seen/heard of the parents in like 1 day.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
it was a willie wagtail nest btw.
September 14th, 2007 at 8:51 am
Hi there Wes,
It sounds like the adult birds have abandoned the nest. Ravens, crows, butcherbirds and currawongs will take the young and eggs from other species like Willie Wagtails who then leave the nest and sometimes start another.
Unfortunately, I doubt that caring for the egg in the way you describe will see the egg hatch. This is a specialist area - people who keep and breed pet birds are experienced in these matters so I suggest you try to find your local bird club and contact them for advice or go to your local pet shop who will have contact names. I am not experienced in these matters.
October 3rd, 2007 at 4:11 pm
I have just found your page ..lovely pictures .We have a resident a family of wagtails ..boy do they nest in odd places ..and get very irrate when disturbed !!
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Welcome to my blog Melissa. Willie Wagtails have to one of our most endearing birds, but you are right - they do find some unusual places to nest.