Question about Mates

by Ruth Talbot
(Marietta, GA USA)

Papa Checking on the Decorating

We have a birdhouse on an iron post in the back yard near a wooded area. Two years ago we had a family of Eastern Bluebirds to live there and enjoyed them immensely. Last year we had none.

Now, again, we have a family of Bluebirds in that house. We were so excited when they started coming daily.

They have been so busy the last week or so building their nest. We enjoy watching them carrying dead grass and going in and out of the bird house. It is so much fun.

Does anyone know if they have one mate for life.

We had not noticed the Bluebirds today at all, and when I was in the front yard doing some weeding I found a dead male Bluebird.

It was so sad, and then I started thinking that might be why we had not seen any activity around the bird house today.

His head was completely laid back on his shoulders. All of his beautifully colored feathers were intact. I can not imagine what could have killed him.

We don't know if they have laid eggs or not in the house, but will the female take care of them if her mate is gone? We would like to know more about them.