Bird's Eye View II: A Baby Cardinal Hatches

Thought I'd update you on the bird's nest we had found. The day after I posted the first entry, I checked and 1 egg was missing, leaving two. Look at how pretty Ma Cardinal is. She lets me get up close.

Papa Cardinal.

Only one egg hatched. The hatchling here is 1 day old.

Watching Cardinals Raise Their Young

Northern Cardinals are one of the most recognizable backyard birds in Texas. While the brilliant red male is easy to spot, the female's soft brown feathers provide excellent camouflage as she incubates the eggs. Once the chicks hatch, both parents share the responsibility of feeding and protecting their young.

Baby cardinals grow quickly and depend on a steady supply of insects during their first days of life. As they mature, the parents gradually introduce more seeds and other foods until the young birds are ready to leave the nest.

Watching this little family from a respectful distance reminded me why I enjoy creating a backyard that's welcoming to wildlife. Moments like these are impossible to plan, and they make every effort to provide food, water, and shelter worthwhile.

Both Ma and Pa Cardinal have been taking their turns feeding the chick.

Bird's Eye View: Backyard Bird Nesting Season in Texas