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Missing Eggs

12 years ago

First my bluebird box was opened and the door left hanging. There were three eggs in the nest. I closed it. Next day opened again. I closed it and taped it shut at the top of the door. I watched for several days and saw no activity at the box and it appeared the birds had moved to another birdhouse in our yard. Finally, I removed the tape and opened the box and the eggs were gone. It now appears the birds have moved out of the second house as well. I have an uneasy feeling we may have a weasel problem. They are common here in TN. Any suggestions? It's so sad. We've had a nice colony of bluebirds for five years. I'd hate to loose them.

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Comments (3)

lisa11310
12 years ago
Sorry for your troubles. Your box is not mounted properly. Go to www.sialis.org and follow the instructions on how to mount a nestbox. You can guard against predators. Good Luck.
dzyg
12 years ago
Just curious, how does your nestbox open? I don't know of any animal that would be able to open the door of a nestbox, which is usually secured with a removable nail or screw. Most animals/predators reach in through the entrance the birds go in to reach and pull out eggs and or babies if the house is mounted improperly on a post/fence/tree. Birdhouses should be mounted on slick metal poles (conduit) with predator baffles (stovepipe is easiest) to prevent anything from climbing up and reaching in to get the eggs/babies/incubating female. Like Lisa said, go to www.sialis.org for helpful info on how to properly offer nestboxes for our native cavity nesting birds.

Donna
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The bluebirds would not now that their eggs are not viable. Sometimes they sit on them until long after they should have hatched. Several other birds steal eggs. The tiny house wren (HOWR) sneaks in quietly and steals one egg (or young hatchling) at a time, and will drop it a distance from the nestbox. The English House Sparrow (HOSP) will steal eggs or young, and drop them right outside the nestbox, or simply break them right in the nest, or kill the young. Starlings, bluejays, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, snakes will take eggs or young. There are many predators; some can be prevented, and some cannot. http://www.sialis.org/predatorid.htm Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/predatorid.htm
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You have a Sparrow Spooker, so maybe a House Wren? They are a tiny brown bird with a long sharp bill and they prefer nesting in or near woodlands/brush. They will pierce and remove bluebird eggs. I agree, if it was a predator it would probably want them all and/or disturb the nest Wouldn't be surprised if that's what did it, they slowly disappear one by one. Just take note that wrens are protected and native, unlike House Sparrows. Follow the sialis link for more: ~Tim~ Here is a link that might be useful: House Wrens
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bandjzmom
12 years ago
Hey there Peachy, Wow. So sorry for the issues you are facing. Like Donna, I am confused about how the box was opened to begin with. Seems like you might need to make an adjustment on the door closure to ensure that it doesn't fall open? Can't think of what animal could open the door (raccoon?), but if an animal did open the door, the eggs would have surely been gone and the nest disturbed. So, it seems unlikely to me that the door was opened by an animal. House Wrens and House Sparrows will remove eggs from a nest. A snake could have gotten the eggs. Do you see them around at all? Is there a predator guard on the poles? Did the Blues build a nest in the second box or lay eggs in it? Maybe the Blues have left the area because they know of the lurking predator and feel that their chances of success are low if they stay? You really do have to figure out what got those eggs. In the meantime, be sure to equip your poles with predator guards. If you have House Wrens, you can use Wren guards. If you have House Sparrows, you can use Sparrow Spookers and you can also trap and dispose of them. There are many things that you can do to help to keep your Blues safe so that they will continue to nest with you. Good luck, and keep us posted.~Angie

Here is a link that might be useful: Sialis site/predator page

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Bluebirds never leave North Texas boxes.

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