12 December 2016

Family find nest of fledgling finches in Christmas tree

| Charlotte
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Fledgling goldfinches in the Christmas tree. Photo: Published with permission

A Canberra family got a shock yesterday when they heard soft squeaking coming from their brand new fresh cut Christmas tree.

Thinking they’d placed the tree on top of a mouse toy belonging to their cat, the family were devastated to discover that in fact, the noise was emanating from a nest filled with recently hatched birds.

The fledgling European goldfinches are now being looked after by wildlife carers.

The family preferred to remain anonymous, but a spokeswoman said she was “horrified” at the turn of events.

“It makes me feel awful for buying one now,” she said.

“We haven’t had one for five years…and now this!!”

The tree was purchased at Bliss in Pialligo.

The woman said she understood another Canberra family had a similar experience the day before, finding their own Christmas nest of European goldfinches.

Friends had joined the family in expressing their sympathy for the baby birds’ parents.

Partridges in pear trees, look out. The age of goldfinches in Christmas trees is here.

Have you every found fauna in your Christmas tree?

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