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!