We have a pair of finches laying eggs - but mom and dad don't seem to know to feed the babys - one is dead

Question

We have a pair of finches laying eggs - but mom and dad don't seem to know to feed the babys - one is dead

Answer 1

If the baby birds are infested with mites, the parents might abandon them. This happened to a nest near my house earlier this summer.

The birds certainly don't "not know how" to feed the babies. It's their instinct. There's a reason that they're not, trust me.

It's sad and painful to watch happen, but nature is truly survival of the fittest. If it's bothering you, I'd suggest that you stop checking on the nest.

Answer 2

They probably do know how but like if a baby bird is tiny than the others and has a lower chance of living the mother bird will shove it out of the nest or maybe even let it starve. I wouldn't interfere with teh baby birds tehy are extremely hhard to take care of and need to be fed like every 15 mins with a special diet.