Click here to view the original article

Hello, Pointe-Claire!

Some of you might still be in possession of a standard “mailbox,” although our mail has been delivered “self-serve” style for a few years now.

We still have one attached next to the front door, antique with the word “MAIL” carved out of wood, leaving certain bits as openings. This mailbox has served dutifully as a drop-off for our daily newspaper (thank you, newspaper carrier!) that we cherish and read every morning. Yes, we do. It is a tradition.

Well, we guess one bird thought it was a smart idea to start a new tradition and to have a mailbox, too, not for newspapers but for more practical things, like starting a family, oblivious to the matters of the world as we know it brought to us every morning.

I knew that birds scout out potential nesting possibilities, but we never thought that this old mailbox would become a prime piece of real estate for one!

It started subtly — a few twigs, some feathers, some little fluff tucked inside. We didn’t think much of it at first when I first opened the box, assuming the daily paper was there. But it was not.

Within days, it became clear: someone feathered was moving in. A determined little bird had decided our antique mailbox was the perfect nesting spot. It took her only two days to fabricate a perfect nest!

We couldn’t bring ourselves to disturb it. The newspaper carrier kindly adjusted their routine, placing the paper on the doorstep instead. We try to open and close the front door as quietly as possible so as not to disturb the babies.

Our friend, a veterinarian and accomplished birdwatcher, reassured us that the babies were okay in our old mailbox—that they were safe and would most likely fly out 12–14 days after hatching, which is quite impressive. She also told us that “our” bird is a Carolina Wren, which is not commonly seen in this area.

Interestingly, in Carolina Wren families, the male and female split their duties quite distinctly. The male is the primary caregiver once the chicks hatch—he tirelessly brings food to the nest and keeps watch nearby. The female, after brooding in the early days, often turns her attention to preparing for the next nesting cycle, sometimes even scouting out or starting a new nest site. It’s an efficient little system, built on teamwork and instinct.

We’re not sure if they’re sharing or survival instincts, but thank you, my friends! We want all of them to fly!

Funny how something as simple as a mailbox can carry more than mail — it can carry memories, stories, and new life.