SY male standing in for original dad?

[Martintown33]

During the chaos and racket of the fledglings returning for the evening yesterday, I’m almost certain a hawk grabbed an SY male parent off the gourd porch. It happened so fast (as always!) and I only saw it out of the corner of my eye. I’m not 100% certain that the hawk got him, but I think he did. The chicks in that gourd are 29 days old, so I figured the female could finish up the light feeding duties on the 5 fledglings, since she would be litening them up for their first flight, anyway. . But this morning, I saw an SY male flying in, feeding them. It could be the original dad. … with that said, I don’t see it on my notes anywhere, but I seem to recall single SY males stepping up and taking the place of original fathers that have gone missing. Has anyone observed this behavior before? Now I’m just wondering. I’ll never know for sure, but I’m Curious to hear your responses…
Rob

[C.C.Martins]

Hey Rob, good afternoon sir!

Never that late, just before egg laying yes subbie is accepted. Iv not seen them step in like that, I think its unique and awesome...may be more common? Iv not seen it. But iv a very small corner.
Have a female feeding 2 chicks all by herself, attacks subbies that are really interested in her chicks. I don't blame her, she started out with 4!

To me its unique and a special moment, after the hell they caused you this is a gift.

[Martintown33]

Hey tom. Sounds like you got a tough single mom there. Good for her! Seems like she’ll finish up just fine. Yea, after the SY troubles I had earlier, it would be fitting to have one step up in this situation. As I said, I have no way of knowing if that’s the case. My logic tells me, the hawk missed , and it’s the original dad. With all the wonderful chaos of fledglings returning , I couldn’t see exactly what happened. But that would be a special ending if that’s the case.
Good luck
Rob

[brent]

Funny you mentioned that Rob. A few days ago, a week or so, as I was walking under the houses doing gardening work I saw an SY male bring a dragon fly to B#4. I thought that was strange but just dismissed it at that moment. Then shortly after an ASY male brought food. I thought could it be possible?? And then dismissed it thinking it was probably the female that I mistook for the SY male but after reading your post I am just about convinced it was an SY. I saw the female later and I know the SY had blotches on its chest and belly area. Interesting isn’t it? Brent

[Martintown33]

Hi Brent. Yes it is interesting. As I said in my original post, I seem to recall seeing this before but just wasn’t certain. It’s good to hear another landlord has observed similar behavior. It would be very cool if that’s the case.
Per your post about the injured Martin you found on the ground. I found a Martin on the ground this morning. Looked about 18 to 21 days old. When I went to catch him he flapped his wings and tried to fly, like a normal baby bird would. Upon catching him, and checking him out, he looked fine. His neck looked a little thin, but wing development and body looked normal. He wasn’t very hungry. He only ate 2 crickets. Quick check of my records , and I knew there were only several compartments he could have came out of. Luckily the second one I checked was missing a chick. They were the same size as him. The compartment looked clear of any mites, was dry and vented. I put him back. Sometimes I wonder if parents can intuitively tell if a fledgling won’t survive and don’t waste time and energy feeding it, and force it out. If I find him on the ground again tomorrow I will know that’s the case. It’s been kind of a tough Martin season here. I had a great one last year so it is what it is.
Good luck
Rob