Baby birds hatch at Courthouse nest, squawk up a storm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – There are three or four baby birds making a lot of racket from a nest on the east side of the Orleans County Courthouse, in a crevice below the dome. This is on the side facing the Orleans County Jail.

The nest has been quite a curiosity in recent months. There are plenty of strong opinions whether these birds are crows or ravens.

The parents have been swarming around the Courthouse Square, hanging out in trees and on top of churches.

One of the parents returns to the birds and they greet the parent with wide-open beaks and loud squawks.

At least one of the parents is second from left and returns to check on the babies. The bigger beak could be an indicator that the bird is a raven – or maybe it’s a crow, I can’t say for sure. Others have told me they are too big to be a crow and have to be a raven, but others have also been quite incessant these are crows.

The harried parent takes off to get more food for the youngsters.

The parent is on top of the Albion Free Methodist Church and is either taking a break from the loud baby birds or patrolling for some worms or other food for the demanding infants.

Click here for a short video of the noisy birds.