Attacked by a brown thrasher!!

[marie_martin]

I have a family of brown thrashers in a bush behind my house and this morning one of the babies fell out of the nest. I went to try to put it back and the parents were trying to attack me. Crazy birds. I was trying to help. My mama chicken was under the bush with her babies and so this baby was hollaring and the parents of the bird were attacking my mama chicken and she was squawking and jumping at the birds. What a crazy morning. I managed to get the bird back with DH help (he was the lookout, but was hollaring "get that thing back in the nest quick") very funny. Anyone have any experience with these birds? They are almost fully feathered out so I am guessing will be gone soon.

Marie

 

[silkiechicken]

Always amazing how brave mother animals can be. Fight giant birds and humans without a second thought!

 

[marie_martin]

Actually I think this was the father. They are amazing to watch. They take turns watching the babies and going out for food. I have really enjoyed watching them. The problem is that the nest was damaged in the last storm and is hanging sort of sideways now. That is why the little one fell out. But they seem to be doing fine. They should soon leave the nest according to what I read. They are pretty quick about it. But boy did I learn not to mess with those babies.

Parents of all kinds should be so protective huh?

Marie

 

[marie_martin]

Well there is another baby on the ground but those stupid birds wont let me near it. It has wandered way away from the bush where the nest is too. But I tried several times to catch it and those birds attacked me. I had to run into the chicken run and they about came in there with me. I know in my head that they are not going to kill me, but dang if I want them pecking my eyes out, lol. I don't want to leave that poor baby on the ground but I am not going to be attacked either. When you go to pick it up, it makes the loudest sounds and those birds attack from both sides. Man!

Marie

 

[priszilla]

the parents are giving it life lessons- teachihg it t oe eat and to learn to perch and to start learing to fly.IF the nest is in serious disrepair- you can put on a helme t with a face shield for protection-lol- and put it in an empty hanging basket.it is a myth that birds will abandon a nest that smells like humans. now if you wnat to leave them a handful of mealies out where they can get them- and you can watch- you might win a truce.

 

[marie_martin]

I threw some feed out there, not chicken food but the wild bird food I am feeding my quail. But I don't think they care if I am trying to help. And I know it sounds very childish, but I really do have a fear of them for some reason. I did not even realize it until this happened. And I am not the only one. My daughter's fiance tried to put him back today and he put on his fire helmet and was still leary. He put it back in and it fell back out again, and the parents were really upset by then and would not let us near the nest. So we finally just left the baby on the ground. I hope you are right and that the parents are teaching it and it will be ok.

Marie

 

[Frosty]

I tried to help a baby blue jay once... I quit after mama bounced her beak off of my head (and that hurt!!!) Then I picked up a baby grackle and was walking through the garden with it... my hand felt funny so I looked down and my hand was black with little bird lice crawling all over it! Yuk!!!

I do love the thrashers, though... have you ever listened to them sing? They are mimics, and the range of notes is just amazing. I always have to stop and just listen.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Gosh, sounds like Thrashers take their name VERY seriously!!

 

[marie_martin]

Yes, they are song birds and I have so enjoyed watching them raise the babies. The parents take turns sitting on the nest and going to get food etc. And the do have very neat sounds. I just wish they would have let me help that baby. I don't know where it is now. I have looked all over the yard and have not seen it. I hope the parents are still watching over it.

Marie