What would steal a robin's egg? (birds, snake, robins, pet)

[no kudzu]

Last week we noticed a robin's nest with 3 eggs on our front porch. Days later we saw only 2 eggs. the mother has been extremely attentive. Could she have known one egg was a dud and removed it? Would another bird take it away?

Last year we had a similar nest and suddenly one morning we discovered it completely torn apart and eggs splattered on the porch. We figured it was a snake cause we have seen a snake on the porch and know they can slither vertically up the side of a house.

Any answers? How can we protect the other eggs?

[TN Tin Man]

Your theft ....


Blue Jay steals a Robin egg from nest - YouTube

[Almrausch]

Originally Posted by no kudzu

Last week we noticed a robin's nest with 3 eggs on our front porch. Days later we saw only 2 eggs. the mother has been extremely attentive. Could she have known one egg was a dud and removed it? Would another bird take it away?

Last year we had a similar nest and suddenly one morning we discovered it completely torn apart and eggs splattered on the porch. We figured it was a snake cause we have seen a snake on the porch and know they can slither vertically up the side of a house.

Any answers? How can we protect the other eggs?

Kudzu we have noticed Grackles or Crows steal eggs all the time, no matter what type of bird it comes from. We caught them in the act.

[bjh]

Another bird or predator.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by Almrausch

Kudzu we have noticed Grackles or Crows steal eggs all the time, no matter what type of bird it comes from. We caught them in the act.

Why do they do it? What do they do with them?

[no kudzu]

I'm guessing it is to promote their own kind? or is it just meanness?

[bjh]

Originally Posted by LauraC

Why do they do it? What do they do with them?

Some birds eat the eggs of other birds. Otherwise to diminish the population of the other birds in order to have less competition for food int he future. Of course, they don't sit down and think this out. They're acting on long established instincts.

[TN Tin Man]

Originally Posted by no kudzu

I'm guessing it is to promote their own kind? or is it just meanness?

Correct too promote their own kind... and a easy meal.

[TN Tin Man]

Then you have this reason for missing eggs..
"Mafia Birds" Make Others Raise Their Young ... Or Else

[jtur88]

To answer your question, I might submit an alternate question: From what threat would the parent robins have evolved to instinctively protect the nest?