This is so sad, Keith. I’m sure you and Gin are correct in that this was not the father of the babies – just too bad that the mom disappeared/died also. They just do not abandon their babies for no reason (probably better than some humans). The only time I had something similar was about 5 years ago when my mama bluebird was incubating 4 or 5 eggs, about two days from hatching, and she disappeared or died. Well, the papa was still around, hanging out around the nest, but of course, not able to incubate. Well, these eggs hatched WITHOUT being incubated for 2 or 3 days. The papa was still around but would not feed the babies. I tried desperately to find a rehabber who would take these babies, and found one in Kansas City, about 75 miles from me. But she gave me no hopes of the birds making it without never having been fed by their mother, so they perished & I buried them in my garden. Very heartbreaking. Things just happen – pick up and wait for the next nesting. Good luck.
