A nesting crunch sees the true story of ‘Avian Sister Wives’ unfold on St. Thomas, Ont., porch
St. Thomas, Ont., resident Debra Copeland has always been accustomed to finding robin’s nests on her front porch. However, when she discovered a nest shared by two squabbling female robins, eight eggs, and a pair of visiting male birds, she knew she had stumbled upon something truly unique.
Typically, Copeland only sees up to five light blue eggs in a robin’s nest during the spring. So, when she noticed more eggs packed into a brand new nest above her porch light at the end of April, she decided to set up a camera to investigate further. What she found was astonishing.
“I was shocked and amazed to see two females incubating the nest at the same time,” Copeland shared. Initially, the relationship between the two birds was tense, with lots of pecking and squabbling. However, after three days of fighting, the females decided to put aside their differences and work together to raise their eggs in the shared nest.
“It was incredible to watch them transition from adversaries to devoted co-parents,” Copeland said. “They rarely squabble now and often snuggle up together in the nest. It’s a sight to behold.”
This behavior may be unusual for robins, but according to Ontario Nature executive director Andres Jimenez, it’s not entirely unheard of. Jimenez explained that in situations where resources are scarce and desirable males are present, female birds may be inclined to share a nest as a means of survival.
While the two female robins on Copeland’s porch share the parenting duties, there are also male birds involved in the picture. Copeland suspects that there may be two whole couples sharing the nest, making the situation even more intriguing.
The story of the robin family on Copeland’s porch has captured the attention of bird watching enthusiasts on social media. People from all over have been following the updates and rooting for the birds to succeed in their unconventional living situation.
The uniqueness of this avian sisterhood has sparked curiosity and fascination among birders and non-birders alike. The tale of the St. Thomas ‘Avian Sister Wives’ continues to captivate audiences, showcasing the adaptability and resilience of these remarkable birds.
