The house finches have rebuilt their nest in the corner of our side porch again this year, after sucessfully raising two broods there last year.It is a sheltered corner out of the rain and we use the front door in order to give them their privacy. They seem to be calmer this year than last, so likely have learned that we pose no threat, but they still prefer that we do not use that porch while they raise their young. They had to contend with some agressive grackles who tore the nest apart a couple times before the female settled in with eggs about a week ago. Now the male feeds the female during the incubation and will help feed the young after they hatch.He also defends the nest against threats-including other finches-but unfortunately he cannot distinquish living birds from his own reflection. I had to cover the mirror to keep the poor guy from thrashing against it repeatedly. >UPDATE APRIL 27th> The nestlings fledged this week after a few days of the parents encouraging them to leave by calling them from outside of the porch. We did not see them fly as we have other years, but the nest is empty today and the parents are still nearby where they will continue to feed the young for about two weeks. APRIL 28> The parents-or a different pair whom I had seen in the yard a week ago- have built a new nest under the porch, so this will be the second brood so far this year. JUNE 3> The second brood fledged today, which was two birds. A third had fallen from the nest and died. JUNE 5> A third nest was built on the 4th, but quickly torn apart by another pair of finches defending the territory. I assume that the successful nesting birds are the defenders?
