Great photos.

IDK my birds, but I know the photos are prize winners.

Beautiful pictures. I'm so glad your husband rescued these babies and put them in the nest after the storm.

Great story, great pictures.

Aaaawwww.......

Wow, the photos are amazing! It's interesting the nest would be so low to the ground.

We had a similar experience last year with some crazy cardinals - I'm thinking they must have been first-time parents. They built the nest at an angle in a dappled willow tree. We had strong storm after strong storm, and the three naked babies kept tumbling out and landing on the mulch about 6 feet below. We kept putting them back in but each time I wondered if it would be the last - how on earth did they not get injured? After the fourth incident, I removed the nest and put it in a coir lined hanging basket and hung it in the tree near where the nest originally was. Never have I been so glad to see baby birds fledge!

It could possibly be a baby cowbird?

https://svhikes.com/interspecific-feeding-birds/#:~:text=Brown%2Dheaded%20cowbirds%20and%20dark,if%20it%20were%20their%20own.

What an adorable baby. I'm so sorry the storm damaged the little family.

We've had a pair of small black white woodpeckers (I don't know species, hairy or downy?) bring two chicks to the woodpecker suet block to feed now that they've fledged. I love watching them (and they beg).

The only bird I've had nest on the ground have been towhees. Interesting birds and fast! They can run on the ground like little road runners....

@roxsol.....I also did a photo search after posting....yep...Cowbird. You are correct! I never see cowbirds around here....yet....here they are! 😂

This is why I despise cowbirds. The babies will kick the "legitimate" babies out of the nest.

I do not think the baby is big enough to be a cowbird.

awww

I don't know if it's a cowbird, the search results could be wrong...but....these birds have a story. I've never seen a Cowbird here.... just glad we have a story of HOPE to tell...

Cowbirds do not raise their own young. Or any young.

@Chartreuse Scorpion...maybe just Junco babies! I've NEVER seen a Cowbird...here. The baby looks small in the 2nd photo....

They're obligate brood parasites... They neither incubate nor feed any babies:

(scroll down to brown-headed cowbird)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowbird

They could be moving in, nicole!

”Brown-headed cowbirds prefer habitats where low or scattered trees are interspersed with grassland vegetation. Originally, they occupied open grasslands and followed bison herds where they fed on insects stirred up by the bison’s feet. However, due to widespread domestic livestock grazing they have expanded their range. Today, they are found in open coniferous and deciduous woodlands, forest edges, brushy thickets, agricultural land and even some suburban areas.”

Yes, and just a fuzzy semi small version of an adult junco. I really do not think it is a cow bird.

(one of their "songs" sounds like water dripping)

@Chartreuse Scorpion..No Cowbirds have been seen...or dripping water songs......it's OK. Didn't mean to upset you.

I'm not upset at all! Not with anyone here - just with the nastiness that is cowbirds! They're vile creatures!

Great pictures! How sweet of your husband to try to save the babies.

I have two swallow's nests on my house this year. I've never had them build nests on my house before. I see heads popping up, but I can't tell if they are incubating eggs or if there are chicks in the nest. We have lots of crows. I hope they don't eat the chicks, but that's definitely a possibility. According to what I read, I'm not allowed to interfere with the nests until after September 1. I guess I'll have to hire someone to remove the nests at that point and repair/repaint the stucco.

Amazing pictures!

i agree, it looks like a cowbird fledgling. while the general opinion of cowbirds is a negative one, you have to admit that the way they procreate is genius. they're never stress about feeding nestlings and more often than not, their babies survive in the often cruel world of wildlife.

they are native birds so tossing their eggs from another nest you find them in is illegal since they're protected under the migratory bird treaty act. lots of people ignore that fact and do it anyway and then find that the parent cowbirds will return to the nest and finding their egg gone, will retaliate by destroying the remaining eggs.

great photos!!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mafia_hypothesis

Mafia hypothesis

I, too, think that the baby is a cowbird fledging. We’ve seen them at our house.

It is the cutest little fluff ball no matter it’s breed. Thanks for sharing 💕

I believe in letting Nature take its course, whatever they are.

Excellent photos!

P.S. This came up when I searched for 'fledgling junco':

Looks quite similar to me...

Incredible feeding pics!

I also think it is too small. The baby ought to be bigger than the parent. Time will tell though.

Were the eggs all the same? That is one clue. Cowbird eggs are a different look and size.

There has been interesting research on how Cowbirds learn to be Cowbirds. Young birds have a short period where they learn their language and behavior. Cowbird parents are now known to visit fledglings and once they learn to fly take them to cowbird colonies. They remember where their young is likely to be.

patriciae

The photos are stunning! After looking at several examples, I think it’s a fledgling cowbird based on the pattern on the wings. I’m not familiar with cowbirds.

This came up when I searched for 'fledgling junco': Yes! Me too! A Junco baby. Mystery solved!

The baby is too small to be a cowbird. When he lifts his wings up, it makes him/her look bigger. I didn't see ALL the eggs. We were trying NOT to bother the nest...until it became necessary. It's still a bird that eats TONS of insects and such a cutie pie!

Congrats on the baby bird ID. I'm glad it isn't a cowbird. We've been in this house now for 7 years and I've been feeding birds for 5. This is the first year we've had cowbirds coming to the feeders and I can't say that I'm happy about it. I keep wondering what bird is now raising cowbirds in its' nest.

Thanks for sharing these photos❤️

Fantastic pictures, Nicole. I thought it was a junco baby too. I didn't know there were seven types of Juncos. Ours are the slate colored Dark-eyed Junco that only come in the winter. I love seeing them. Yours is much more colorful. Quite beautiful. And also surprised to see they nest on the ground. Lots of interesting facts learned today. Again, your pictures are amazing. I know both you and your husband are excellent photographers. Great find.

I’m gkad you figured it out and really glad it wasn’t a cowbird. Isn’t it fun to watch a new baby bird feed? we have two new nests of bluebirds, which I watch periodically. Their little mouths open automatically at first every time i open the door. Now they are mostly sleeping during the day.

We had 2 Juncos get together in my potted outdoor topiary bush. It was fun to watch. Your photos are excellent!

Why are they purple...or is it just my computer?

@cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)...A soft grey. The early morning light might be giving them a lavender undertone...?

I write a monthly article for a small newspaper. Next month they're publishing the Junco photos & their story!

It's thundering. They're predicting heavy rain with 1/2" hail. The storms moving down the pass right towards us. DH made a plywood covering for placing over the lilies....and protecting the nest. It'll be noisy. I hope they know to stay under it.

Update: My husband reports there are NO chirping bird parents. He lifted the lily fronds, nest was EMPTY! We haven't seen or heard from them. The Spade-Foot Toad is still around....he's been a resident for several years now. He resides under our deck steps.

I didn't know they might be OUT walking around. I'll tell DH. We walk one of our cats. He's the one that found the nest originally....and he checks on the toad, daily. The toads NOT a fan. 😂

Love the shots of the beautiful birds! Stunning! Thank you for sharing them with us.

So cute. Your photos are amazing!

i appreciate you very much, Nicole. westy