Again, Thanks for the comments.
 
Dan Haas made a comment that got me thinking even more.  He noted that this was a Christmas decoration.  I had forgotten that fact.  If the egg is from last year it would have to have been laid in mid-December.  We placed this up the week before Christmas so our nester dropped an egg sometime after mid December.  I have not touched the egg so I don't know if it is rotten.  I guess an egg shell could keep pretty long.

The nest is under one of those long life light bulbs and it is on everynight.  It went out a few days ago so the bird has had some nice heat for the winter.  I had a suggestion that this heated light situation may have sparked a nesting instinct.  

Some have suggested that this is a wren nest and wren egg and the Ruby was just spending the night.  Others have commented that the nest is not typical of a wren.  Many have commented that wrens attempt nesting in the winter months and that is a possibility and again the Ruby was just renting so to speak.

Just another reason why I love birding so much!  They are simply amazing creatures.  

Still interested in comments about this find.

Thanks again
Terry


Terry Crowe 
Birding Brothers 
Shady Side, Maryland