We have been seeing roadrunners prancing around out back for a few months, but for the last few days, they have been coming in closer and closer. Yesterday afternoon they made a preliminary inspection of the hedge where two roadrunner chicks were raised about two years ago. One sat in or near the nest, and the other was out in the alley. They called back and forth to each other with different noises.
This morning both of them were in the nest, with lots of coo-ing, buzzing, and clattering noises quite audible. It sounded like they were very happy. But some curved-bill thrashers did not take kindly to the attempt by the roadrunners to move in. Harsh words were spoken, and much to my surprise, the roadrunners retreated. The thrashers don’t seem to have a nest in there, although we have seen them coming and going with sticks in their beaks over the last few weeks.
UPDATE: It is several hours later, and neither pair of birds has been back to stake a claim.
STAY TUNED!
Adventures of Dorrie Anne 
Thanks for “switching” to my favorite kind of photo! Three days in a row. Wow! 😉
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Just for you! ;->
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It would be fun to have the roadrunners raising a family so close.
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The nest is left from two years ago when a pair raised two babies here. We always wonder if these are the babies that have hung around all this time. They seem to be here a lot from time to time. We hear them doing their clattering noises out further than we can see.
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Guess they went “beep-beeping”! 😀
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I hope they settle their differences and someone gets to use the nest. But it’s two years old, and not very soft for regular birds. I guess roadrunners are heartier than most. I saw a picture the other day of a parent with FIVE babies. That nest looked very crowded. The text said that the babies hatch every other day, so that is about ten days’ worth of baby birthings! ;->
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Sure would be nice to have another Road Runner family. Hope it happens.
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We’re hopeful, but no appearances since this morning.
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I hope the roadrunners claim the nest. Can you put some pieces of yarn and string, etc., around the area to help them soften the nest? I did that once. We had birds flying into the ivy on our chimney and could see a nest being built. I put out a bunch of pieces of colored yarn in the yard. It was all snapped up and weaved into their nest. Very pretty. 🙂
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Great idea! I’ll see what I can find.
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I was so hoping you would say the roadrunners came back and had set up housekeeping. Maybe next time. 🙂
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They’ve been at it for a few days, so we’ll see what happens. Maybe they will come back tomorrow.
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