Question for those knowledgeable about birds (not pets)

Does anyone know a bit about the reproductive cycle of an outside bird (sparrow, etc)?

There has been a bird coming to sit under my porch awning at night. It is very very odd. We have never had birds come under here before. The bird is sitting all scrunched up on top of a column we have in a corner. Then the bird also sits on top of our light, b/w the light and the ceiling. I don't know how the bird doesn't get burned, the bulbs are very hot.

What is odd is the bird is only coming at night...leaving all day. Tonight I went out and the bird didn't even flinch, didn't move, didn't flinch when I opened my door, door made noise, etc.

We are trying to figure out if this bird is a) pg? b)guarding a nest or preparing a nest all day then coming to our home at night? etc...c)is the bird sick maybe?

So does anyone know anything about birds reproductive cycle? I tried to find info on the web but can't. The bird looks very chubby...very fluffy. Although he/she is pooping on my porch, we feel bad to chase it away b/c it looks very sad and cold. We really don't want to chase it b/c we fear it is pg and cold, etc. It is just so odd, we never had a bird come under here, it is a very confined space. No less a bird that doesn't move or flinch when it hears us make a noise (not that we are trying to chase it, we really aren't).

So what do you think>?

Message edited 2/22/2008 2:27:30 AM.

Re: Question for those knowledgeable about birds (not pets)

I don't but you can try contacting a user by the name of Kathy (user name nad name) her DH is a vet and loves to study animals. I know that she and he have save multiple animals from around LI. Perhaps she will be able to help you out a litter better than the nothingness that I have offered.


edited her username might be Katthy 16 or Kathy116


the last feels the most right to me

Message edited 2/22/2008 2:26:50 AM.

Re: Question for those knowledgeable about birds (not pets)

Thanks, maybe I will FM her. Anyone else?

Re: Question for those knowledgeable about birds (not pets)

Goob...have you checked with your own vet? They maybe able to offer some insight.

Re: Question for those knowledgeable about birds (not pets)

I can help.

In cold weather, birds find any shelter available from wind. Which is why you will find a lot of them in conifers (evergreens) because it's a great wind screen.

Birds look 'fat' when they are cold, it keeps them warmer.

Also, their heartrate slows down dramatically when they 'sleep' to the point where you could probably pick them up at this point and they would not move. It's a kind of stupor they go into.

It doesn't appear there is anything wrong with it. It just likes that spot because it is warmer and it isn't bothered by prey there.

Re: Question for those knowledgeable about birds (not pets)

I asked DH. He loves animals and nature. He says he has seen this behavior by other sparrows. He says the sparrow has found a warm spot and feels safe, and it thinks no one can see it. When you come near and it doesn't move, DH believes it is hoping you don't see it (freeze).

DH thinks the bird isn't pregnant, or not late in pregnancy because it is the winter.

Re: Question for those knowledgeable about birds (not pets)

This explains it a little better:

"Birds are warm blooded. In general, this means that they maintain their body temperature within a certain range even when the temperature around them changes. The maintenance of body temperature within a normal range depends on the amount of heat the bird produces.

The way a bird conserves heat has an influence on the maintenance of body heat. In nocturnal birds, such as owls and nighthawks, the body temperature is higher at night when these birds are most active.

On cold, wintry days, most birds fluff up their feathers, creating air pockets which help keep the birds warm. The more air spaces, the better the insulation. Some birds perch on one leg, drawing the other leg to the breast for warmth.

To keep up their high metabolic rate most backyard birds eat rich, energy foods such as seeds, insects, and suet."

I've been keeping my seed feeder and suet feeder full for them. The coldest, driest days are the ones that they need it the most.

Re: Question for those knowledgeable about birds (not pets)

Posted by greenfreak
To keep up their high metabolic rate most backyard birds eat rich, energy foods such as seeds, insects, and suet."

I've been keeping my seed feeder and suet feeder full for them. The coldest, driest days are the ones that they need it the most.

Message edited 2/22/2008 11:31:50 AM.

Re: Question for those knowledgeable about birds (not pets)

Re: Question for those knowledgeable about birds (not pets)

Re: Question for those knowledgeable about birds (not pets)

I'm in Nassau. The thing is where can I put this item, so that squirrels can't get it? We have massive amts of squirrels here and I have a lot of trees around my home. Any thoughts?