Howdy Linda! I haven't witnessed a lot of that but have seen a bit of it. I am praying that you have a nice peacefull nesting season this year. The last 2 years have kept you running that's for sure! Better get with Jack LaLane and get pumped up just in case! LOL Nobody's looking in my cam box yet but it's way early here.

Gee whiz, yes, I've seen that behavior. Maybe it goes on a lot more than we think. Since you are able to watch 24-7, maybe it seems like a lot more than usual. Maybe this is an early season behavior, as the nesting timetable is more urgent later in the season.
More often, I have seen them both removing nest material shortly after the young have fledged (more like a housecleaning behavior).
It makes me think of some people I know, who can never agree on anything LOL. Hopefully, they will settle down soon.
BlueBars

Hi Linda,

Sure we've seen Mr.B remove bits of nest sometimes. Before she began laying he was making multiple daily inspections with her seeming to appreciate his approval:

He's been even more active in the nestbuilding stage this year than last. And he also chose bits of grass for the nest... Never taking them into the box himself, but offering pieces to her which she most often accepted.

You're doing a very nice blog btw... We watch ours from outside the box only, so it's fascinating to see the inside from your nestcam.

Best luck to us all,

Kenn :)

Kenn & Temple
Backyard Birders in St.Louis, MO

Here is a link that might be useful: Slideshow

Linda, great blog!

I have seen my male(s) remove nesting material and was told that they do it in hopes of getting the female to speed up nest building.

Hey Linda,
Great video! "That looks to me to be such an insignificant piece of material" - LOL!

I have seen both birds take nesting material out before. I always thought they took a piece in and it didn't "fit" and they took it out- who would have thought they are actually going in and taking pieces out without bringing any in!

I wish you the best of luck and no HOWR to be seen!

Kenn and Temple,

AWESOME photos! Thanks for sharing.

Janie, I read that too (about the male taking out materials to encourage the female to speed up nest building). I'm not so sure that applies to this male and female though :) If you watched the first 4 or 5 days of the videos, Daddy took out more than Mama brought in!!!! And today is Day 14, so if it's supposed to get Mama to make the nest faster, I don't think it worked :) I know I'm over simplifying this...I know that they respond to a complex combination of clues like supply of food, etc. And our weather has been up and down and up and down, too.

As far as the female taking out nesting material, with this pair only the male has done it. And in the early days of nest building, I could see that what Daddy was taking out "didn't fit." But also in those early days, he took out as much as she brought in!!! Some days it was hysterical seeing him in the box taking out stuff with her at the hole 'chattering' then her going in with him only to have him slide quickly out with his 'treasure' LOL

But yesterday's little piece of ? that he took out...really now! That's a bit obsessive :) I have to watch not to anthropomorphize too much!

I'm hoping Mama will start egg laying SOON (as in this week). But I've been fooled by birds before...they don't seem to take MY feelings into their egg laying decisions!!

Bluebird blessings, Linda...and may none of us have to deal with HOWRS or HOSP!

Linda,
Thank you for sharing your info. and videos. That is so interesting to be able to watch your blues' actions and behaviors. In the last video of your blog, I believe it was part 2 of nest building, she is frightened by something and sits very still, is that the sound of a hosp chirping in the background? Do you think that could be what she was listening for? Thanks again for sharing and best of wishes for a successful season.
Mac

Mac,

I'm not sure which of the 13 days of nest building videos you are referring to...can you tell me what day that was?

We've never seen nor heard any House Sparrows here but their range map shows that they 'should' be here year round. So if you think you heard one, I really NEED to know.

Thanks...waiting to hear which day it was.

Linda...