Let’s look at some of our common garden nesters.  

Robin 

The female builds the nest and does all the brooding, with the male bringing food to her. At first, the female broods the newly hatched chicks while the male brings food for all; later both sexes feed the chicks. The male defends the territory. As robins can raise two or even three broods a year, the male may take care of the fledglings while the female starts on the next brood. 

Blackbird 

The nest is built by the female, and the eggs are incubated solely by her. The young are tended by both parents. Blackbirds, like robins, produce two, three or even four broods a year, so caring for older fledglings can be taken over by the cock bird. Young blackbirds are tended by their parents for around three weeks after leaving the nest. 

Wren 

In wrens, the male builds several nests within the territory, and the female chooses which she prefers. The female completes the nest by lining it. Wrens are often polygamous, so other females may be enticed to use extra nests. The females do all the brooding and the chicks are fed by both parents. Polygamous males generally have broods which hatch at intervals, with the male helping first with one, then the other. Only a single brood is produced by each female. 

Dunnock 

Both sexes build the nest, but the female alone broods the eggs. Both parents tend the young, and two broods a year is usual, sometimes three. 

Great tit 

The nest site is chosen by the female, with the male acting only as a guide and consort, The nest is built by the female, and she does all the incubation, fed by the male. The chicks are fed by both parents.  

Blue tit 

As with the great tit. The female may be fed by the male even before the last two or three eggs of the clutch are laid and incubation begins. 

Chaffinch 

Again, nest-building and incubation are by the female. Males may occasionally take a turn at brooding, Females hunt their own food while incubating, but are also brought food by the male. The nestlings are largely fed by the female. One or two broods a year are produced – female chaffinches seem to have a bit of a raw deal! 

Starling 

The male begins to build the nest before pairing, but the female completes it. Both sexes incubate the eggs and care for the young, which continue to be dependent for food after leaving the nest. 

Song thrush 

The female builds the nest and incubates the eggs. The young are fed by both parents. 

House martin 

Both partners build the mud nest, a new one taking up to 18 days to complete. Incubation of the four or five eggs is by both parents, and both care for the nestlings. 

So it looks like women’s lib hasn’t really hit the world of garden birds, unless you’re a starling or a house martin. Most of the male birds are busy singing, posturing and fighting. Ladies, if you want to come back as a bird and have an easy life, be a phalarope instead.