schaery,
Hello! We have just had some lengthy posting here recently regarding this same abandonment scenario. My advice is that you need to first make sure that you have your time line down as accurately as possible. Do you know when the first egg was laid? What was the exact date when you first saw the 4 eggs? The moms will begin to incubate the eggs 5-7 days after the first egg was laid. Since you say that there are 4 eggs, we assume that that is total number that were laid, and incubation would have begun after that 4th egg was laid. Incubation is normally 12-14 days. They say that if a cold snap comes in during this time, incubation may be delayed or lengthened, even by as much as a week. It is true that we do normally see our Blues around the yard while they are nesting, and so I think that your instincts are good here. It does seem as if something may have gone awry. What you can do is to check an egg for an embryo (called candling). Using a plastic spoon, you very gently and carefully remove an egg from the nest and place into a soft padded container. Take it into the house and go into a dark spot with a flashlight and the egg . I use my closet! Shine that light into the egg for a few seconds, and see if you can see anything inside. If there is no darkness, and the light shines right through, then it is a sterile egg. That could be a reason for abandonment. Predation is often a reason for abandonment, but your eggs and nest are just as they have always been, so it doesn't seem likely that was the issue. Something could have happened to the Mama Bluebird, and without her to incubate the eggs, they would be left. Anyway, that is something that you can do to check to see if the eggs are sterile. If the eggs do not seem to be sterile, then gently put the egg back into the nest, and continue to watch the box very closely. I think it is too soon yet to give up on them, even though you are feeling that the parents may not be around. Once you are absolutely certain that there is no hope, I believe that the eggs and the nest should be removed so that the Blues can successfully use the box. HTH~~Angie

If you do determine there is no hope and you remove the nest, keep it in a Tupperware container, you never know when you may have to do an emergency nest change.

bandjzmom - I am looking for the lengthy post you mentioned regarding abandoned eggs. Would you happen to remember which post? Thanks very much!

Sorry lori....I addressed you as if you were the original poster schaery. It's early...and I think that I need some more coffee now!!!! Yes, I definitely need more coffee. BRB..
schaery... please let us know what happens with your eggs?

Thanks bandjzmom - no problem, I totally understand! I'll search under "Indigo". Thanks very much :o)

I live in Florida and have a Blue Bird nest box and for the last four years the pair lay their eggs and then abandon them! The nest is close to my house could too much activity i.e. husband mowing grass, small dog in yard us on the screened in porch close to her nest make her leave?

Hi Carol- not really sure the reason, but you may just try changing the box to a different location. Make sure it's 15 feet away from tree, fence, etc., so that predators can't get to the box from those structures. They like grassy open spaces with a tree/shrubs nearby so that the fledglings can fly to something on 1st flight. Is the box on a pole with a baffle? Something scared them away because they're fully committed once they lay the 1st egg. Since you're in FL, I'm wondering if they saw a snake that they were afraid could get to the eggs/babies? You may even have to make additional precautions if snakes are prevalent in your area, but that should be a good start. Lastly, if your dog is an outside dog, try to put the box separate from dog's space. Glad to try to answer any further questions. Hope it works out for you!

Nicole

Carol- the only other thing I can think of is infertile eggs, but I can't imagine that would happen every single time to every egg. Again, seems like a predator (or something they view as a predator) would be the reason.

Nicole

I've been wondering about abandoned eggs too. I found 5 eggs on Feb. 24th but I haven't seen the birds since a little later than that date. We have had a cool snap since then (we had been having 80 degree weather). I also wonder though, if the birds did not leave because of my house and greenhouse windows. The were fighting with their reflections quite a bit. Does anyone know if this will cause them to abandon their nests?

I have 2 blue bird houses 30 feet apart every year I get about 4 to 5 sets of nests and eggs and babies ! But this year they are hanging around then leaving the eggs I'm wondering if my neibors cat in the yard is scaring them or if somthing is wrong they wait for me to come outside with milly worms every morning

I have a nest that has one egg in it. I found it 2 days ago after a huge noreaster. I checked everyday and no other eggs. The bluebirds are here. I have 2 female and a few males. Did the weather have something to do with it.? I don't know if she will have anymore?? Not sure what to do.

Hello, I have for the first time a Eastern bluebird nest in my yard but something happen after they lay 5 eggs, being the last one on March 30.

On March 31 I noticed the entrance of the house covered with nesting material and then in the afternoon the entrance was cleaned a little bit so I checked the nest and I found a lot of nesting material in top of the eggs.

My first impression was to think that they were covering the eggs to protect them from a predator but after that day, any of the adults entered the box at all so I decided to check the nest in detail and looks like a predator tried to dig inside the box without being able to damaged the eggs.

My question is, do you think the eggs are still alive after 4 days without a parent worming them?

I am in Houston and the temperature is around 70-80 F

The parents are visiting the area but not getting inside the nest at all.

Thanks in advance

It's hard to say. Everyone has a different opinion. I had 1 egg and after 2 days it was gone so I emptied the nest box and they made a new nest and I now have 4. I think if your sure they abandoned the eggs. You could remove and they may make another nest. If they are around and your sure they are not caring for them, it may encourage them to try again. Do you only have one box? Hope this helped

Thank you Mary, yes your response it's very helpful.

My yard it's not that big to allow me to put other box, I understand they have to be at least 20 feet from each other and away from the fence, right?

I checked this morning the nest again and I couldn't see any activity at all.

Every day I am placing food for them to keep them coming and luckily they are showing up, but not checking the box at all.

If is the same couple who are coming to my yard, do you know how often they may lay eggs?

I would like to wait just in case but since March 31 the eggs are not being taking care.

I do not want to wait to long to discourage them to use the box again.

Thank you again for your help and avise.

Have a nice day.

I’m afraid we may have the same problem...saw male and female build nest, and they were active to and from the box many many times a day, now no activity. I checked nest box yesterday and there was a beautiful little nest with five eggs....still no site of either parent today...really odd for them....hoping parents are ok.... had rain for three days, but temps in the 70s....could that drive them away?

cozmik - did the parents ever come back? We have a similiar issue here but two boxes with two nests, one box has one egg in it but I haven't seen the parents in a couple of days. We've had lots or rain too. Not sure what to do. Anyone have advice?

Hello, after that unsuccessful experience I decided to put a second box and clean the first one.

Both adults checked the 2 boxes and decided to build a new best in the new box.

They listed 4 eggs this time and on May 8 and May 9, two egad hatched and the other 2 become unsuccessful.

We are at the stage of looking from the distance the activity and I am guessing the babies will fly soon.

Have a nice day!