The Question: We have a bird nest in our backyard that was made by a cardinal. Recently, we noticed that a robin seems to be hovering around the cardinals’ nest. The cardinals seem upset by this, and seem to work as a team to keep the robin at bay. Can you explain what is going on?

Submitted by: Laura R.

The Short Answer: Laura, most likely the robin is waiting for the cardinals to make a mistake so it can raid their nest, either to steal nesting materials, or more likely, to steal eggs or baby cardinals. Birds are constantly looking for opportunities to raid nests. It’s a hard fact of life that eggs and baby birds are a much sought-after treat. I’ve seen sparrows chase blue jays, blue jays chase crows, and crows chase hawks. Everyone’s babies are at risk. To make matters even worse for baby birds, squirrels also often raid nests.

Parent birds must be ever vigilant.

For an update to this story, go to this post:  Will Robins and Cardinals Share a Nest?

Ask a Naturalist® (March 19, 2024) Why is a Robin Hovering Around a Cardinal’s Nest?. Retrieved from https://askanaturalist.com/why-is-a-robin-hovering-around-a-cardinal%e2%80%99s-nest/.
"Why is a Robin Hovering Around a Cardinal’s Nest?." Ask a Naturalist® - March 19, 2024, https://askanaturalist.com/why-is-a-robin-hovering-around-a-cardinal%e2%80%99s-nest/
Ask a Naturalist® May 12, 2010 Why is a Robin Hovering Around a Cardinal’s Nest?., viewed March 19, 2024,<https://askanaturalist.com/why-is-a-robin-hovering-around-a-cardinal%e2%80%99s-nest/>
Ask a Naturalist® - Why is a Robin Hovering Around a Cardinal’s Nest?. [Internet]. [Accessed March 19, 2024]. Available from: https://askanaturalist.com/why-is-a-robin-hovering-around-a-cardinal%e2%80%99s-nest/
"Why is a Robin Hovering Around a Cardinal’s Nest?." Ask a Naturalist® - Accessed March 19, 2024. https://askanaturalist.com/why-is-a-robin-hovering-around-a-cardinal%e2%80%99s-nest/
"Why is a Robin Hovering Around a Cardinal’s Nest?." Ask a Naturalist® [Online]. Available: https://askanaturalist.com/why-is-a-robin-hovering-around-a-cardinal%e2%80%99s-nest/. [Accessed: March 19, 2024]