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What should I do?

17 years ago

I have 2 Bluebird boxes. One is empty. Nuthatches were building in the 2nd but there's been no activity there for about 2 weeks and the nest is not completed. Today I have a bluebird pair scouting out the box with the Nuthatch nest inside. Should I pull out the nesting material or hope they go for the empty one?

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Comments (6)

donnalovesblue
17 years ago
Renee, I would leave the nuthatch box alone. I had them nesting last year (brown headed) and they are delightful birds to have as guests. My very first nesters years ago were chickadees. They began building in early March when our temps were still a little chilly. Then there was no activity for the longest time and I was certain they had abandoned the nest. Finally, eggs were laid and they raised 4 babies. Your nuthatches will probably return to finish the nest. In the meantime, can you relocate your other bb box to a desirable place further away from the nuthatch box? I am NOT an expert, but someone might advise you to put a hole reducer on the nuthatch box..but I'm really not sure about that.

Good luck!

Donna
blue_belle
17 years ago
Renee, I'm not here very much but I stopped by just now and saw your question. I can tell you that nuthatches can take up to 6 weeks to build a nest, doing it in fits and starts. You didn't say which kind of nuthatches they are, but if they are brown headed you can reduce the hole to 1.25". They are such fun to watch and I hope you enjoy them!
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bluebirdbabe
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I would be thrilled to have nuthatches using my boxes. Lucky you!! Hope the blues pick the other box :)

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april_birdylover
17 years ago
I'd keep them too! I was blessed with Caralina Chickadees last year.. and just when I was ready to give up on my Bluebirds, they took the other box on our property!
birding_nut
17 years ago
Do not remove the nuthatch nest. They are native birds and removing or destroying their nest would be against the law. As a native cavity nester, they need a home just as much as the bluebirds.

As a side note, if they are White-breasted Nuthatches, they are the least likely to excavate their own cavity, compared to Pygmy, Brown-headed and Red-breasted Nuthatches. Thus, like the bluebirds, they are more of a secondary-cavity nester, relying on natural cavities or those created by other birds such as woodpeckers.

BN
renee1958
Original Author
17 years ago
There was no need to worry. The Bluebirds picked the other box. From the looks of the nest they have been quite busy today. The nest look almost complete. I had 3 nestings in that box last year. Ill keep my eyes open for the Nuthatches to return. They are Brown-headed by the way.
Renee

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