Tragedy!

[laurab]

This morning we were watching Elsa's Bengalese leave their nest, then this afternoon I went in to top up the feeders and noticed one with blood on it's head.

I was wondering if it had perhaps crashed into the wire when I spotted another one!

This is too much of a coincidence. Elsa picked it up, its top beak was completely smashed in :twisted:

What on earth would attack them in this way? They are housed with a pair of CPQ, 1 cock Parson Finch and 4 Cape Sparrows.

I have moved the Bengalese to a cage, I only hope that the 'super Dad' will cope with the move and will continue to feed the babes.

I hate this hobby:cry:

[Waxbillman]

what a shame Laura

i'm so sorry to hear that

Matthew

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

I'm really sorry to hear this terrible news mate,:( but my guess would be that Ivors comments regarding the Cape Sparrows agrressive nature may well identify the culprits in this case.:roll:

Paul.

[laurab]

I have spoken to Cape Sparrow on FF3 tonight.

All of his sparrows fought one another and he now only has one left.

I thought that the Starlings killed the CPQ chicks, how wrong was I!!

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

As gutted as I am regarding the now seemingly obvious aggressive nature of the Cape Sparrows,:( I hope you are still willing and able to provide housing to continue your successful breeding of the species next year??

My suggestion would be to house them in the new Chestnut Bellied Starling aviary for next year, my reason being that there will still be every chance that the Capes will still breed for you, but they wont have the opportunity to cause any further trouble for you, I'm certain the Starlings will be a perfect match for the Sparrows.

All the best mate, Paul.;)

[kenny]

hi laura
thats really sad news....and i think we have all said the same thing in the past..that we hate this hobby even me..i know and you know that these things happen,from time to time but it doesn`t lessen the blow any when it happens

ken

[laurab]

The Cape Sparrows are very secretive when it comes to having babies. I didn't know about their babies until they were nearly ready to leave their nest. The babies are not like normal chicks as you hardly ever hear them call and whenever I go near the aviary you always see both adults flying around therefore you never miss the hen and wonder if she is sitting on eggs.

Yesterday Roger and I spent a long time working in the garden. Towards the end of the day I could hear the feint noise of baby chicks calling. To my amazement I discovered the Cape Sparrows have some more babies - this would explain why they attacked the Bengalese!

[Waxbillman]

great news about the capes Laura

alike you see at least you know why the young ens were attack, likely hood is that they land near the nest

Matthew

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

Again I'm really sorry that the fledgling Bengalese suffered the attack from the Sparrows, but I'm pleased that the Sparrows have another round of youngsters.:wink:

Single pair breeding flight for the Sparrows for the next breeding season then?:wink:

Paul.