What in the world happened to this robin?

Question

There was a bird's nest (Robin, I think) right in front of my house. I was delighted to find three beautiful blue eggs one day. About two months later, I checked on the nest again and was horrified by what I saw. What in the world could have happened? Was the bird murdered? Did it just die in its nest naturally?

3 beautiful eggs
http://i16.tinypic.com/4tkwg09.jpg

a nightmare
http://i15.tinypic.com/62j460y.jpg

The remains look like that of an adult robin, and, no, I don't have a cat. =/

Answer 1

My guess is that the remains you see are of one of the baby birds. There are no egg shells in the nest, so it appears that the eggs hatched and the shells were pushed out of the nest. The nest appears to be covered with "stuff" which suggests that the eggs hatched and was lived in for quite some time.

One of the chicks may have been left alone in the nest during fledging and may have been attacked and eaten by a larger bird.

Answer 2

It looks like the bird was either poisoned or sick. If it had been eaten the remains would not have been as recognizable, nor would they have still been in the nest. Many birds are currently dieing from West Nile Virus. Robins have been especially hard hit. Also, since Robins often eat off of lawns, they are frequently killed by fertilizers and pesticides. The pelleted, slow release types are especially hazardous to seed-eaters. So, if you love the birds, leave the weeds. If you suspect disease, don't handle the remains and call the health department in your region. They may be able to advise you.

Answer 3

It looks as if the bird(s) drown. Perhaps there was a bad thunderstorm with lots of rain a week or so ago. Whatever, it looks as if the nest was soaked in something. Those nest can hold water. At least long enough to cause the young to drown.

Answer 4

It looks like the nest got very wet and perhaps the fledglings died of starvation.

Answer 5

Yeah, I would agree with deadstick. Could have been anything that attacked the fledgling in the nest, at a time when it could not fly away to protect itself. Maybe a cat or even a larger predatory bird.

Just because you don't have a cat doesn't mean a neighbor's cat or a feral cat could not have done this.

Answer 6

I think the remains look like fledglings.

Perhaps they died if the adult either died itself or abandoned the nest

Answer 7

1. it could be that the mother got sick and died in the nest so they starved!
2.It could be that the mother saw you or smelled humans around the nest and abandon the nest.
3.THAT WAS NOT A CAT. THOSE EGGS HATCHED. THEIR BONES ARE STILL THERE LIKE FOSSILS.

Answer 8

There's really no way of knowing. An animal could have attacked it; it could have contracted a disease. It happens..

Answer 9

I'm guessing a bird of prey got to them owl hawk eagle etc

Answer 10

That was nasty. I feel bad for that bird...