Baby Cardinal Birds Grow Up Story: The Fascinating Journey From Hatchlings To Adulthood

by Lucy Guo on Oct 26, 2024
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    A tender bird's nest was among the folds of the outdoor umbrella. It was to become the revelation that would shortly bring some interest and curiosity into the backyard as the beauty of nature was being opened before one's eyes. Once, a friend visited and inquired whether eggs were present in the nest; it was irresistible to watch. A ladder was dragged out to give us a peek inside a nest. We found several well-formed eggs, just the beginning of our new experience.

    cardinal nest and egg

    After a short while of searching, it was determined that the nest belonged to cardinals, a bird much adored by birdwatchers across North America. From that moment, it was decided to watch the nest but not interfere with the birds while mechanically fastening the umbrella every ten minutes to protect it from the wind. It gave way to a lovely experience as we prolifically noted how these beautiful creatures and their little new family went on with their lives.

    Observation And Documentation: A Bird's Life On Camera

    By coincidence, we had an additional outdoor camera that was not being used, which also appeared ideal for observing this minor marvel. The camera was placed inconspicuously, and brief video sequences of events at the nest were filmed throughout the day. So, following the theme of the movie The Ugly Duckling, we gave her the nickname "Betty"—the homophone to symbolize a mother bird that always takes care of and remains strong no matter what.

    female cardinal sitting in nest

    With time, keeping an eye on Betty's commitment became exciting. She was a very watchful nest-sitting mother and often sat perched in a very defensive posture—necessarily, she was alert for any dangers to her eggs' nests. No sooner had she left the nest to search for food, which she did very often, than she returned almost immediately to ensure the eggs were warm and safe, the two qualities that are so characteristic of motherhood in the animal kingdom.

    female cardinal make turns on eggs

    Every poultry farmer should be keen on how they turn their eggs, Betty was cautious about making turns on her eggs. This is important for chick development, and it seemed Betty naturally knew when she had to switch. They studied how she was calm and never got distracted from her task as a mother, even as we observed her through the lens.

    cardinal mom turn eggs in the nest

     

    Cardinal Habits And Characteristics: A Deeper Insight

    Day after day and week after week, we uncovered more exciting facts about the Cardinals. While they are relatively widespread in North Florida, there is still much to learn about these alligators. Cardinal pairs are a prevalent nuisance in many of our gardens today; however, they became even more entertaining to watch when they got closer to a pair.

    Betty and other female cardinals are less bright than males, having brown plumage with only occasional touches of orange color, especially on their beaks. For instance, Male cardinals accompanying Betty are different from her with the rich red color of their feathers.

    Of course, as any cardinal would be, Bobby would be seen just standing near the nest, fiercely protective of his nesting area, ready to shoo away any perceived threat. To defend their nests and families, the males of the species would violently attempt to scare off any flock of birds that happened to fly overhead. As a result, cardinals are renowned for being wryly referred to as "angry birds."

    male cardinal protect baby cardinals

    On May 22, a momentous event occurred: but at the end of the day, two tiny chicks could emerge from their shells. We missed the hatching, as it happened during the night, but experiencing the first meeting with two newly hatched babies the following day felt like magic.

    cardinal fledglings

    It was good that Betty's impatient personality was finally rewarded, and the chicks were starting their new lives. Every day, photographs were compiled depicting their development, and the display of their tiny heads peeping out of the nest was a pleasure to behold.

    The First Days Of Life

    During the first days of observation, the chicks were inexperienced in vocalizing; their small mouths gaped open only in response to cries of hunger. We initially believed we heard chirping sounds, but the noises belonged to other birds in the yard, including our fellow cardinals, but only with time.

    During this time we saw our male cardinal dad first time, we called him Bobby, and he has fed Betty, which was so cute.

    male cardinal feed babies

    Specifically, in the initial days of the babies, the chick Bibi and Bubu were fully vulnerable and helpless, relying on Betty and Bobby for comfort and feeding. They were born blind, and their eyes are covered, and they can only rely on their parents to survive they were born blind. Soon enough, their eyes were open, and they became aware of their surroundings or the lack thereof.

    male and female cardinals care for their babies

    But this family civilization that came into existence – Betty, Bobby, Bibi, and Bubu – was heartening to look at. Betty continued to raise them all, and Bobby provided for the family by bringing food to the nest and on the alert for danger.

     

    Intriguing Cardinal Behaviors

    As expected, some such interactions and performances were amusing and exciting. Chicks, especially Bubu, relieved themselves in the nest, which is typical for birds of that age. What surprised us most was that the father, Betty (Cardinal Mom), tended to clear the mess and poop in the nest by swallowing it.

    female cardinal clean the nest

    Their behavior seems peculiar to us, though it is customary in many bird species. In this way, the parents eliminate unnecessary material, and the chicks are safe from hazardous bacteria or parasites that can spread in a dirty environment. After a few days, Betty and Bobby's feeding time during the day was in harmony. Ironically, both parents were partners, yet they had to do their best to ensure the chicks were fed.

    After six days, the chicks could open their eyes and also experienced a change in feathering. On the seventh day, they appeared like minute chicks, their down fur denser, and their actions were more spirited and orderly.

    The Miracle Of Chick Growth

    That is why nothing is unexpected about changing Bibi and Bubu into brand-new people practically overnight. On the tenth day, June 1, an exciting development occurred: The little ones started practicing and hoped for their first flight. Although we failed to capture the taking flight, we captured Bibi's first sign of stepping out of the nest towards another umbrella section.

    cardinal fledgling grow up

    That evening, when they got home, the nest was empty. This was somewhat disappointing because no one wanted to watch its birds fly away from their nest, but at the same time, it brought a huge relief that Bibi and Bubu were now independent enough to venture outside the nest.

    Welcoming New Life: A Hopeful Return

    As would be expected, now that the nest has been vacated, we expected Betty and Bobby to come back. To entice them, we put birdseed in the backyard where the chicks would be bred. Initially, a flat plate was used, but a proper feeder was purchased that hooks on a tree and discourages other animals from coming near it. Days later, Betty and Bobby, to our relief, were again in the distance running around in the backyard, which was consoling.

    From the time we found the nest to the final point of the chicks' hatching and later fledging, we learned many lessons about life. We felt more respect for Nature, seeing Betty and Bobby raising their chicks so carefully and seeing them become big enough to fly away. As a branch, we hope that Betty and Bobby will return to the same umbrella next spring and, perhaps, bring more eggs, and the cycle will repeat itself.

    This journey with Betty, Bibi, and Bubu made us feel closer to Nature and the need to embrace each moment of existence. The playback of the efforts and care given by the Cardinal parents was just a beautiful depiction of the universally embraced theme of raising a family, regardless of whether the characters are merely the Cardinals or human beings.

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