Posted by Amy Mefford on August 10, 2007

Q: Recently I had a Female Cardinal with a nest and eggs right outside one of my Kitchen windows. I was so excited I had a great view of this...yet gave her privacy - trying to be careful. She was nestled well in the upper part of a bush. All the sudden we had a terrible rainstorm and if could be considental but I have not seen her since then? She has abadoned her eggs? I read on a website that typically a Cardinal will lay on their eggs for about 11-13 days before they hatch? I believe it had to be around that time if not exceeding this a little - could it be that she knew her eggs were bad? why would she abandon her eggs? Should I try to quickly incubate them?

State: Michigan

A: A ring-side seat and then disaster - what a bummer! You didn't tell me how long it's been since you last saw her on the nest but if it's been a day or so, it sounds to me as though she has abandoned the nest. Incubating at this time of year probably indicates that this is her second nesting for the year. Why she might leave the nest isn't obvious, but she wouldn't know if the eggs were not viable. The only way she'd know the eggs weren't going to hatch is if she were incubating them well after the typical incubation period. Why she might abandon the nest is anyone's guess I'm afraid. Incubating the eggs yourself just won't work. Getting the temp right and humidity right etc would only be a guessing game. Wish I could give you some help with this but I'm afraid this nesting attempt is just not going to make it. Thanks for writing.

John Wiessinger ( August 10, 2007)