Bird behaviour

[pootie439]

We have a Thrush with two chicks nesting in a quince bush. In the last two days I have seen a Finch like bird not only sitting on the edge of the nest but also flying from the nest with the Thrush and following it around. I have heard of Robins feeding other bird's chicks but not Finches. Can anyone enlighten me on this behaviour.
Thanks
Pootie

[wildwood]

It would help if you could identify the bird.

It is not unusual for a bird of the Carduelis genus (goldfinch, redpoll, greenfinch etc.) to feed other species' young, especially when they have lost their own nest of chicks.

There is even authentic evidence that a goldfinch fed goldfish in a pond for a time. Presumably the bright mouth somewhat resembled young chick's beaks and the goldfish soon caught on.

[pootie439]

Thanks for the response wildwood.

The two birds in question are a song thrush and a chaffinch ( established with a bit of patience and a pair of bins this morning ) I had the luck to actually see the chaffinch feeding the thrush's chicks and also saw her sitting on the edge of the nest with the mother bird in residence. I also get the impression that their may in fact be a pair of chaffinches involved but I wouldn't swear to it. Ain't nature a wonderful thing.
Thanks again

Pootie