A nesting question of concern

[Nikkidodi - SATX]

Last year, I had one nesting pair and five fledged (from 5 eggs). This year all eight apartments/gourds were claimed and seven had eggs (28 of 32 eggs hatched). The remaining nest is picture perfect, but no eggs. It has been 2 weeks since the last baby hatched, so I doubt the other 4 eggs are viable now.

Oh, well, here is the interesting thing and I am wondering if is healthy for the two babies involved. One of the heritage quad pods (aluminum) has no nesting material at all, just the two babies. I think that I read once, that this could lead to foot or leg problems since the floor is slick and the babies have nothing to grasp with their feet.

I built them a small nest of pine needles and soft pomegranite leaves (the other nests used twigs and hard live oak leaves). The parents promptly removed all nesting materials. A week or so later, the babies have pin feathers, I once again rebuilt the nest. The parents are slowly dismantling this one as well. Not sure if I should continue replacing the materials or not.

[John Miller]

I have one or two "non-nests" like this each year. If the bowl is slick plastic, I'd continue to add some nest material at least once more. The babies continually press on it with their feet and it may get pushed aside. You could try adding a few broken up dried stems that would be a little heavier than pine needles or straw. As long as they have a little something to push against, they should develop okay. Next season, add finger-sized strips of outdoor stair tread tape so if a nest gets down to the bare floor, there will still be plenty of traction. (Don't do that this year as the floor would need to be very clean for it to stick.)

[DebA]

I like your style and would have done the same the thing! Cooperate, parents!

In my gourds I placed a piece of hail screen. Wire "cloth" with small square holes. Larger than window screen. I was able to secure with wire through the gourd drain holes. I did this for drainage and to keep babies from working their way to slick plastic. You might try to fashion something like this. Maybe cutting pieces 1/4" long all sides to fold under and raise screen up from floor. My Trendsetter house came with these but I removed and placed nest trays. For the gourds I cut one 6x11 screen in half and used in two gourds. Then I'd perturb the parents uh-gain and place more nesting materials. Little not alot. Good luck.

Deb