Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle

[Bang]

Alright, not exactly a monkey,, it's a house finch, (not a sparrow like I originally thought) and she's laid five eggs in the hanging flower basket by our front door. Whenever I leave, she jumps out and heads for the trees. It goes by so fast I can't get a good look at her,, it looks a little more red than a sparrow.. not sure what it is.





Every time I leave the house she flies right in my face. One of these times I'm going to sprain an ankle.

~Bang

[KingGibbs]

If it is a Sparrow Bang you might want to take the cruel route and kill the bastards. They are evil little ****ers and kill off tons of native birds. They are known to prey on native bird's nest and take the eggs.

[Bang]

Nature's way is it's way. I'm not sure if it is a sparrow, there's none of the striping and like i said, it'e more red. I have to try and get a good look at her next time she jumps out in my face.

~Bang

[zoony]

Always very cool whenever a wild creature chooses your corner of the world

Unless it's vermin, of course.

[HailGreen28]

Probably a House Finch.

edit: Seconding the "kill them all if it's a sparrow". Look for the male to have a black bib, is the easiest sparrow identifier.

[THEREALTOR1]

Paging bluefood....

[Xameil]

If only it was a swallow..then I could have used a Monty Python line

[bcl05]

Almost definitely a house finch. Their eggs can be quite variable, but these look good for them. Male house finches look superficially "sparrowish" with a thicker bill and red streaks. Females are plainer with no red, just white and brown streaks on the belly. They have a longer and thinner stature than the stubbier sparrows. Keep your distance from the nest if possible, the eggs won't hatch if the parents get too spooked and don't put in the time...

I'm a birder, and definitely agree with the sentiment that HOUSE sparrows are evil. They are non-native (brought from England in the 1850s) and have caused numerous extinctions. They steal the nests of native species, and have even been known to peck the eggs (or skulls of new chicks) of competing species. Evil. They aren't even real sparrows (old world family of weaver-finches). Be careful, though, there are plenty of native, wonderful species of sparrows that are NOT evil. Song sparrows are especially common in backyards in the MD/DC area...

Yes, I'm a bird-nerd. Best hobby around, if you ask me...

[Bang]

I looked up the house finch and I think you're right.

I've got to figure a way to water the flowers without distrubing her. I figure if I leave the basket alone and arc a soft spray over it she'll be alright.

~Bang

[HailGreen28]

I looked up the house finch and I think you're right.

I've got to figure a way to water the flowers without distrubing her. I figure if I leave the basket alone and arc a soft spray over it she'll be alright.

~Bang

Don't worry about it. The female built that nest with your normal routine going on. If you want to help, just try to limit your time in that area of the yard and don't douse the nest.

[thebluefood]

Paging bluefood....

Save the birds, man!

[polywog999]

Always very cool whenever a wild creature chooses your corner of the world

Unless it's vermin, of course.

Vermin 'er gooooood eaten'!

[HailGreen28]

Vermin 'er gooooood eaten'!

[redneck-grammar-nazi/] No, dag nabbit, VARMINTS is good eaten'. 'Specially rabbit or squirrel (the original brunswick stew). Vermin is for killin'. [/redneck-grammar-nazi]

[Stew]

someone call me?