Just found this in my Backyard

[Joe Guy]

I took this picture with my iPod so it's not great quality. Can anyone figure out what it is?

I'm pretty sure I know, but thought it would be interesting to see what you think.....



If you only see the word "image" above, click on the word and drag it into your address bar.

[Lord Jim]

Well, in terms of what it is, the word, "disgusting" comes to mind....

Maybe a clutch of spider eggs?

[Joe Guy]

nope!

Something much more appealing...

[Gob]

Swallows nest.

[Joe Guy]

I don't know what to do...

Should I drag this out or just give you the answer?

[Joe Guy]

I guess I'll drag it out.

I'm signing off for tonight.

[Rick]

It's an Orioles nest...

[Joe Guy]

It's an Orioles nest...

Now I'm confused. I was all set to tell everyone that it is a hummingbird nest because I saw a hummingbird near it. Then I googled 'Orioles nest' and it looks just like one.

Here's an oriole nest -



So I think keld is correct, but I didn't know we had orioles around here.

[Lord Jim]

The humingbird being near by must have been a coincidence; here's a hummingbird nest:



We have a lot of hummingbirds around here, and some of them are quite bold; (they'll hover right next to you)

A few years ago we put a hummingbird feeder in the yard; it gets a lot of business....

[Joe Guy]

I jumped to a conclusion without examining all of the evidence. I should have realized that a hummingbird's nest would be much smaller but I was thinking how the nest looks like a bee hive and well.... a hummingbird sort of acts like a bee... duh... that's how my mind works sometimes...

Oriole

[rubato]

It's definately an oriole nest as Keld said .

You're very lucky to find it. They are becoming much less common in California.

When nesting season is over you can carefully retrieve it and, if you like, give it to a local school. Bird nests are amazing constructions, really wonderful works of practical engineering.

yrs,
rubato

[Joe Guy]

The odd thing about the nest is that the eggs are fully enclosed like a cocoon. There is no way a mother oriole could sit on the eggs while they're maturing. And the only reason I know there are eggs in there is because I accidentally tore a little bit of it open on the side when I first discovered it. I quickly repaired it though.

I guess the parents just watch & wait?

I'm a little concerned because that nest is only about 4 feet from the ground in a potted plant and there are cats that pass through the yard occasionally.

I guess I'll have to stand guard with my water bazooka.

[Scooter]

If they parents saw you fiddling with the nest they may have abandoned it.

[Joe Guy]

I suppose that's possible but I hope not. They didn't pick a great place to nest if they are worried about being disturbed. They are on a walkway and right next to the door of a room I have in my backyard.

[rubato]

The odd thing about the nest is that the eggs are fully enclosed like a cocoon. There is no way a mother oriole could sit on the eggs while they're maturing. And the only reason I know there are eggs in there is because I accidentally tore a little bit of it open on the side when I first discovered it. I quickly repaired it though.

I guess the parents just watch & wait?

I'm a little concerned because that nest is only about 4 feet from the ground in a potted plant and there are cats that pass through the yard occasionally.

I guess I'll have to stand guard with my water bazooka.

I don't know about Orioles but Peregrin falcons begin hard incubation when they've finished laying (or are at finished -1) and during that time the female is on the nest 100% of the time. I think the temperature difference (higher during 'hard incubation') is how they regulate development so they all hatch at close to the same time even though they are laid over a longer period of time. Maybe Orioles are the same?

yrs,
rubato

[rubato]

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/breedrng/

If you are interested the USGS has a great database on songbirds (and everything else, reptiles, mammals, insects, plants) in N. America.

[oldr_n_wsr]

I guess I'll have to stand guard with my water bazooka.

A .22 short load eliminates that problem forever.

If you saw the Orioles on your driveway, they are keeping watch. They are not like Mocking birds or Blue Jays who will dive bomb you if you get within 20 feet of their nest.

[Guinevere]

Except ... Oriokes typically nest in high treetops, not four feet off the ground.

[rubato]

Except ... Oriokes typically nest in high treetops, not four feet off the ground.

I've seen a nest on the backside of palm fronds 6-7 feet up. After the nesting season we removed the frond and the row of stitching through the backside was a graceful arc of perfectly symmetrical threads. The oriole had pulled strips off a different frond and used them as threads for the main structure of the nest. The nest was on the inside of a frond which had dropped to parallel with the trunk, perfectly camoflaged.

yrs,
rubato

[oldr_n_wsr]

Bottom feeding Orioles?

Cardinals usually nest higher up but I have had nests in my bush at about 5 feet high. Blue Jays too.

Mocking birds nest whereever they feel like it, then defend that nest against all comers.