What to Do with Five Abandoned Babies?
by Eljay
(NE Georgia USA)
Bluebird Bedheads!
We purchased a ceramic birdhouse several years ago, never thinking of it actually being USED by birds, but pretty much for decoration.
When the tree that held the house fell down in a storm, it was a bit damaged, so we took a 4x4 fence post and mounted the house on top of it.
From the first Spring, it has been attracting bluebirds. But never once have we seen a success.
The same male has come back each year, perhaps with a new female each time, but either the eggs get taken or the female does.
This year, so far, three females have been taken and 7 eggs have been left.
Then, all of a sudden, a NEW male approached us from the opposite side of our house, with a new, very skittish female.
This resulted in five new eggs, and our attempts to protect the nest from whatever harm might come. We have it raised up, with a baffle around the pole and a fence around that!
The babies hatched last Wednesday (7/22), and are nearly a week old. As of yesterday, both parents were feeding in the morning, and then I saw the male several times last evening.
This morning, the male did not come "knocking at the window" for his mealworms, and I have yet to see the parents (it's been two hours).
What should I do if neither of the parents return? I can see the babies stretching their necks for food...it breaks my heart!
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