Very odd things happening with my houses this year. I had bluebirds in one house that laid 5 eggs. For the most part I try to stay away so they don't get spooked. In this case the next time I checked there was one fledgling that I saw but he didn't seem ready to fly away yet. But when I checked 2 days later there were no babies or eggs. The nest was empty. This box was protected with the mesh on the opening. I'm hoping time just flew by and the brood hatched and fledged in my absence! Will the parents start a new brood in the same nest or should I clean the box out for them to start over? I had another box that had activity, 5 eggs layed and a week later no eggs or babies. I fear they were killed since it was an old house from last year and it did not have the protective metal mesh at the opening. I have a nest nearby with the mesh protection. I kept checking and there was no activity or eggs. Then suddenly there was one egg!! I assumed the mom would lay more. I checked for 2 days, still only one egg. The third day the egg hatched with a tiny bald with a little fuzz baby bird. I kept watching from a distance and I did not see the male or female going into the house. I skipped looking inside the box today. I wanted to stay totally away. Tomorrow I will check again. I hope the little guy is okay.... Is it unusual for a female to lay only one egg? I'm thinking that perhaps the pair that were in the other box moved to this box when a predator got their other eggs..... Thus only one last egg to lay??? The box with the one egg is about 20 feet from the empty box. Perhaps this is part of that brood? Can the mom or dad move an egg or did she just lay it in a different box?? I have another box about 100 feet from that one protected with the mesh that some sparrows have taken over. They have built a nest and hang out in front of it on the mesh opening and on top of it but no eggs for well over a month. Perhaps they are the culprits that got the 5 bluebird eggs. Very strange that they built a nest and aren't using it. I know they will build several, one as a decoy or to give the female a choice, but I don't see that they've done that unless they are planning to take over the bluebird box. I will be keeping a watch on that....

Mom has not abandon it if it is a healthy bird. It is not unusual for a baby to need and extra day. You can read up on Blues at www.sialis.org Have you peeked in the box to be sure it's not stuck in something? Call a rehabber first thing and get instructions on what to do if a parent does not return tomorrow. I have one that fledged today, 3 are still in the box. Mom has not been back this evening but I know she will be in the AM. I am one that will do everything I can even if it's stretching the law a bit when it comes to saving babies. I have been know to bring them in (in the nest) and feed them when I knew they were starving (done with a rehabbers instructions). I am not suggesting you do this , just letting you know there are things you can do other than just let it die. HOWEVER I bet Mom is there bright and early! Let us know!

I agree with Old Forester's comments above. I have been observing and photographing bluebirds (professionally) for over 20 year and I can confirm that they are very tough and very resourceful. Mealworms are almost always only a small portion of their diet (like a treat or a snack). They are constantly catching insects and worms all day long (literally hundreds of times each day!) And, if necessary, a Bluebird will hold it own. In fact, when they are nesting, I have seen them attacking and successfully chasing away Robins, Thrashers, Cardinals and a variety of smaller birds. They will even attack squirrels and cats. Here is the link to my site. In case anyone likes bluebird pictures as much as I do! Link: BluebirdsPlus

The male will not incubate the eggs. Its best to get rid of the eggs and hopefully he will find another mate and use the same nesting spot.