We have just seen our two baby Wattle Birds successfully reared one metre outside our loungeroom window in the middle of our tree fern. It has been lovely seeing the parents so beautifully looking after the little ones and seeing them fly the coop! Question: Last year's nest was not used; Mama bird wanted a new home and jammed a new one up against the old one. There does not seem enough space for next year, so do we removed the old ones? Any advice gratefully taken on board!
Hi jasato56,all birds know what they are doing, it's not the first time they have done it!! They will make their own decisions, when ever they have, or want to. They will not listen to you. (So to speak, as you wouldn't listen to anyone!)I understand, you would like them there next season, or when they breed next, but leave it up to them, they might want to go to a different place. It is all up to them!) Be happy, you had the joy of seeing them.) M-L
M-L
Love the Wattle birds, the shrill shrieks and screams never cease to capture my attention. Flitting from tree to tree, hanging upside down extracting pollen and nectar. Lovely bird and always entertaining. Never seen a nest, so often wondered where they actually nest? What type of tree?
Welcome to the group, jasato.
I share Araminta's view on this. Leave the wattlebirds to their own preferences, not ours. If you were to dismantle the nests with the good intention of encouraging them to nest again outside your window is really for your benefit rather than the wattlebirds', I'd kindly suggest. Besides, leaving the nests where they are might mean other bird species will dismantle the nests for their own nesting material. You never can tell which is why it's a great idea to allow the wattlebirds to sort things out for themselves.
Raven, at our place red wattle birds have nested in dryland tea tree Melaleuca lanceolata & golden wattle Acacia pycnantha trees/shrubs. I'm confident they use other species too.
we had a nest in this beautiful Ficifolia
M-L
That species is way up there with the bragging rights, Araminta.
Thank you to all who replied! We shall see what the birds do next year then; it was a great privilege to be that close to them. They were very good parents and kept the nest very clean and tidy and the babies well fed : )
By the way: how can I put up my photos of the birds on this forum site?
It is just as well I took the advice of Araminta and Woko and left the used nest alone. ANOTHER pair have just laid an egg! We think it may be another pair but really there is no way we can be sure. Anyway, we are delighted. She has laid it overnight and perhaps in a day or so will lay another like the last pair did a few weeks ago. (The last little chicks flew the coop successfully) We must have a prime site lol and this new pair are not averse to a ready built home.
How wonderful is that,jasato56?! When are we going to see some photos? That would be fantastic! Good luck!!! M-L
M-L
Nice one, jasato56. It seems to be a favoured site, indeed, & not to be tampered with.