Best Bird Moms and How You Can Support Them

As many of you know, we are gearing up for Mother's Day on Sunday, May 14th. Mother's exist all throughout the animal world, including birds. We wanted to highlight some of the best bird moms out there, why we love them, and how you can support them. Anyone who has known or been a new mom knows how imperative it is to have help from your community. And if you're still needing something to gift to your mom, not to worry, we've inserted some beautiful gift ideas at the bottom of this blog. 

Let's showcase some incredible wild moms! 

Baltimore Orioles 

Baltimore Oriole Nest with female. Photo by Heather Kerrison. 

Female orioles are incredibly dedicated parents. When they return to Ontario each spring, once they select a partner, they will begin constructing a nest. It’s not just any nest, it’s a specialized woven hanging nest. 

They are suspended almost like basketball nets on branches. They are actually made up of hundreds of thin, intertwined fibres that are collected. Although they look delicate, they can last months and carry up to 7 eggs. From material selection to construction, female orioles operate with the utmost of care, selecting specific material and then carefully weaving the fibres together. It usually takes her about one week, but can be as long as two with inclement weather. She even adds a lining of downy feathers and fibres for extra cushion on the inside of the nest. 

Want to help Oriole moms? Make sure to put out an Oriole Feeder and keep it stocked with a selection of BirdBerry Jelly and orange halves so she can get some fuel! 

Mallard Ducks 

Mallard mom with ducklings. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

Female Mallards really do it alone. They select a nesting site, and although they are typically protected by a male while they are laying eggs, once incubation begins they are on their own. With no partner present, the female duck will incubate the eggs for another 22-30 days, alone. During this period they will occasionally leave the nest for up to an hour to feed. Once her ducklings hatch, it's also completely up to mom to feed and care for them. Considering their clutch size can be up to 13 - it's quite the feat. Thankfully, ducklings can eat and drink on their own as soon as they hatch, unlike songbirds. Mom will lead them to water where they can do so, and continue to keep a watchful eye on her young for the first 6 to 8 weeks.

we don't advocate the feeding of waterfowl, however these pellets are a safe alternative to the unfortunate and harmful practice of feeding of bread to wildlife. 

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds 

Hummingbirds also largely parent alone, with the father playing no role in building the nest, incubating the eggs, or raising the young. They put a crazy amount of dedicated effort into creating their nests. They take about a week to construct even though they are only the size of a walnut. They are extremely camouflaged and made up out of plant down, spider webs, and lichen. 

PLUS they will typically complete two broods each summer, feeding each brood and teaching them to fly before starting the next. 

Make sure to offer some hummingbird feeders with nectar to keep both mom and her nestlings satiated during this process. 

Ruby-throated hummingbird. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

The takeaway? Wild moms work hard too. 

Need a way to thank your mom? Help her to help wild moms - and enjoy some beautiful views! 
Try a Share the Joy Hummingbird Box, paired with a bird mug and some bird friendly coffee - the gift of a perfect morning! 

Thank you to all moms for everything you do! 


Warmly, 

Heather