skip to main content

5 baby blues in atlanta all dead!! ):

11 years ago

I am so heartbroken!!! We have had a big cold snap and I was worried I should be doing something and thought best not to disturb them and that mom would keep them warm enough! I guess I really "messed up" and went to do a nest check today and they have all died!!! They look preserved and so unless I had not jostled the nest I might not have noticed. However, they normally would also be crying out if I opened the box.
I feel terrible!!! What should have I done?!!
Will the parents nest and lay another clutch I hope?!! I am just sooo sad about this...just feel awful.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

bluebirdbabe
11 years ago
when bb babies get a certain age, they will not move when there is danger around (and you are danger) Mom should have been able to keep them warm. I had a mom blue keep 3 day old babies warm when it snowed. Please make sure they are dead before you remove the nest. The babies "play dead" so you will leave. If they are indeed gone, I am so sorry! There was nothing you could have done...don't be hard on yourself :)

Karen
ahbender
Original Author
11 years ago
Karen,
Thanks so much for your reply. I know that they "play dead" so 4 days ago when I did not see them moving I left them alone. Today when I checked the nest again...no movement but something told me that there was something wrong as I had not seen mom or dad around to fuss at me. I pulled the nest out in one piece and nothing! No movement at all. I softly touched one of them and nothing. Felt the back of one and it was stone cold. All of them were stone cold...so sad. Just feel awful. I was so excited we had 5!! ): Had been regularly feeding them mealworms to help out as well...
ugghh
Related Discussions
Dead Baby's Breath
Q
Comments (3)
There could be several reasons for this to be happening. The first that comes to mind is: Wet weather....are you having a lot of rain in your area? If so the roots could be rotting. The second thing that comes to mind is.....do you have mice in your yard. They will chew on roots of perennials and shred them. This will also make you lose your plants. I had baby's breath for several years and mine just died out too. I didn't really investigate it, just planted something else there. So it could just be a short lived perennial. Anyone else have any experience with this? Sierra
...See More
5 baby blues in Atlanta, GA!!
Q
Comments (1)
Congrats! Exciting! I have 3 eggs. Mother Blue is sitting. I pray for a successful brood in NC.
...See More
dead blue martins in blue bird house?
Q
Comments (5)
Are there any nests in the boxes? I also think they are Tree Swallows. If they are in there from last fall or summer they are probably babies that could not get out of the boxes. Tres need a ladder if you will to help them fledge from the nest. All that needs to be done is to make some deep scratches or kerfs on the inside of the box leading up to the hole to help them climb out. There is a website that will give you all the info you will ever need about Bluebirds Tree Swallows and any other cavity nesting birds. www.sialis.org We will also help any time you have questions Cathy Here is a link that might be useful: sialis.org
...See More
5 more baby blues
Q
Comments (1)
Congrats Dean on your new blues....I have a question...you mention a second roof and side shield...My Mama is on her second nesting and I'll check today to see if the eggs have hatched...anyway, it's already in the 90's here in east central MS, so now I'm concerned about the heat as well...please explain your box modification...do all of us need to take measures to "cool" the nestbox?? Boy, it seems with each nesting, there's a new concern!!! Thanks and good luck with your new ones! Donna
...See More
dzyg
11 years ago
So sorry about your nesting! Had you seen both parents around during the cold snap? Were they actively feeding then? How old were the nestlings? How cold was it there?

Our Blues haven't even returned yet to cold central WI but they say we might finally get into the 50's and (gasp) possibly 60's this weekened. I am expecting Blues to be returning soon!
bluebirdbabe
11 years ago
that's really strange especially since you were feeding the parents mealworms. I just don't have an answer. I am so sorry. Usually if they have a failed nest, they move on. But maybe a new bb pair will choose your nest box. Good luck and again I am so sorry. The parents could have fed them poison bugs, from someone spraying their yard or a farmers field. IDK :(

Karen
ohsoblue77
11 years ago
I am so sorry to hear this. Being a 7th year bluebirder, I can tell the difference between "playing dead" and the real thing.

Same thing happened to me two years ago. Parents poorly fed on a 70 degree day and then got hit with 50's, wind, and rain the very next day. All 5 perished even though mom continued to try and keep them warm.

Good news is, though, that they layed a new clutch that year and went on to be successful! MY experience is if the failure wasn't caused by something like a sparrow, and they have an open box, they will try again so long as there's still time in the season.

This does happen. You fed mealworms, so it's indeed odd that it didn't prevent it. I'm confident that your bluebirds will stick around and try again!

~Tim
NE Ohio

Related Stories

FUN HOUZZ How to Survive an Epidemic of Walking Dead

By Becky Harris

Tips to use around the house and garden to prep for the zombie apocalypse

DECORATING GUIDES 12 Deadly Decorating Sins

Are your room designs suffering from a few old habits? It may be time to change your ways

DINING ROOMS New This Week: Proof the Formal Dining Room Isn’t Dead

By Mitchell Parker

Could graphic wallpaper, herringbone-patterned floors, wine cellars and fire features save formal dining rooms from extinction?

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Preserving Period Charm in Atlanta

By Vanessa Brunner

Additions and updates to this kitchen respect the past while meeting the owner's needs in the present

COLOR 5 Ways to Go Bold With (Almost) All White

Take away color to gain focus on textures and interesting details and create a purely relaxing mood

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Ranch House Extensions Suit an Atlanta Family

By Becky Harris

A master suite addition and a new screened-in porch give a family with teenagers some breathing room

EVENTS See ‘Chihuly in the Garden’ at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

By Becky Harris

The glass artist’s work is well-sited to complement and contrast with beautiful plantings. His new installation opens Saturday

FARMHOUSES Houzz Tour: Some Old Tricks for a New Atlanta Farmhouse

By Karen Egly-Thompson

A ‘pretend story’ helped this builder create a new farmhouse that feels like it was added onto over several generations

CURB APPEAL 5 Bright Palettes for Front Doors

By Jennifer Ott Design

Splash bold green, blue, orange or red on your front door, then balance it with a more restrained hue on the rest of the house

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Bring on the Birds: Natural Habitat Ideas for Gardens of All Sizes

Provide nesting, watering and perching spots inspired by the Costa Rican jungle and watch the birds flock on over

Sponsored

Emily Rudolph Interiors

27 Reviews

Hands-On & Collaborative Columbus Interior Designer

More Discussions

Bluebirds never leave North Texas boxes.

0