Need Bluebird Help

Need Bluebird Help

by Gwen Augustine
(Semi-rural Tennessee)

We have had a blue bird house for three years now. The first year sparrows took over. Last year three eggs but they didn't hatch.

This year we had five eggs, one found on the ground three hatched and one didn't. The babies did not survive.

When we went to clear out the nest the dead babies were gone and strangely.......we removed the top nest and found another underneath with four eggs in it.

We now have a new nest with four eggs in it. Any suggestions as to why we can conceive but not actually deliver?

In our old age we feel like an infertile couple.

Update
Success At Last!!!

Finally the last four eggs have hatched and the babies seem to be thriving, all four of them! Perhaps it was all the good wishes floating around out there.

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Need Bluebird Help

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Jun 14, 2009
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I can't believe they're alive
by: jean

I have been checking the bluebird box everyday to see if 4 eggs were still there after relocating 2 garter snakes and making a baffle out of hardware cloth & stovepipe.

I thought the single female was sitting on duds, but they 2 hatched yesterday.I noticed 2 bluebirds flying around an old purple martin house and another box close to this one(I did not read boxes needing to be 300 ft apart til I was looking for answers for the mother not coming back to her babies.

I saw the new pair fighting with the mother and saw her fly off to the other side of the yard, so I dug a new hole close to her and moved all to the new location hoping for the best.

I even found some crickets & fed them. I saw her landing on the box & catching bugs but wasn't sure if she knew those babies were hers.

This has been 6-8 hours & I just knew those babies were not going to make it.

This morning I went to clean out the dead birds & 2 eggs & the mother flew out. The babies were alive. Minutes before I was cussing Mother Nature & now I'm just amazed. LESSON LEARNED.

Jul 09, 2008
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need help quick
by: Anonymous

I have one bird left in the nest, 3 other babies have left. Haven't seen either parent for 2 days. What can I do for this baby bluebird?

Jun 11, 2008
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Great News
by: Anonymous

Congrats on getting bluebirds to nest successfully.

May 25, 2008
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Suggestion
by: Anonymous

You have my sympathy. First you need to know what types of birds are nesting in your box. Common cavity dwelling birds that nest in the same open field environment are bluebird, tree swallow, wren and unfortunately house sparrow.

THe house sparrow is not native to North America and as a result the nest and eggs can be removed. These birds also are aggressive and will kill native birds, remove eggs and build their nests on top.

House sparrow eggs are white with dark speckles of various sizes. Bluebird eggs are blue. Tree swallow egges are smaller and white.

I suggest just remove house sparrow nests. Also an open topped box will deter house sparrows and not bluebirds.

If you are having another native bird in your box then I suggest putting up a second box about 15-20 feet away. THese birds are all territorial, but only to their own species.
Good Luck

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