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can anybody help me identify this nest and eggs

15 years ago

My bluebird house needed repair and I was getting ready to get it down. Out of habit I tapped and nothing but noticed there was what looked like mulch in the house. I left it alone for about a week and thought if it looks the same I'll take it down and have hubby repair to put back up for the blues, which haven't been around for some reason. Well today there is a full nest and 6 eggs, white with brown speckles. I went back in to grab the camera and when I went back out the mom was in the house, I did tap but she didn't leave until I opened the box. All I could see of her was a white chest, looks to be maybe a little larger than bluebird size but not by much.

Anybody recognize these eggs?

If it helps, the nest is in the front corner of the box, you can see the hole to the left of the eggs in the picture.

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Comments (10)

Elly_NJ
15 years ago
White breasted nuthatch?

Here is a link that might be useful: eggs
bbcathy
15 years ago
I'd have to agree with Elly that is is some sort of Nuthatch. How lucky!!!!! Nuthatches prefer natural cavities. They don't usually like to use boxes. Are there Brown Headed Nuthatches where you live?
Cathy
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For anyone in the future looking - while I understand your quandary, you certainly did the best thing for your home and your health. Often birds have mites. Being on a wreath on your front door, chances are the mites would have made their way into your home. My understanding is they are extremely difficult to be rid of (minus a match). Our family found out the hard way about mites. Bird had nested in our primary door wreath when we were away on vacation. We just used an alternate door so as to not disturb them. Thought it would be interesting with the kiddos to keep an eye on how things work. A few days after they hatched, I kept noticing a black smudge on the inside of the door. I'd wipe it off, another would show up. I finally looked really close and saw the smudge was moving! MITES. Birds nest had to be moved immediately! We put it in the closest tree (about 40' away) lt turned out fine as momma found her lil ones. They took flight within a couple weeks, it seems like.
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Kathy -- when I went back out, I decided that BOTH nests look like they are primarily twigs, though there certainly are some more grass-like pieces as well as a few small seedheads (maybe dried sedum?) in the second one (it's also not as deep). I pulled out the one that was clearly all twigs (had a very deep "cup" in the middle but no eggs), but I left the other because I just wasn't sure. Here are the two pictures: first is the all-twig one that I removed today (how well do I need to clean out the box? I think there are a few twigs on the floor since I didn't have a brush with me). The second is the other box. Just a note: these two boxes are fairly close together because last year we had tree swallows and I had read that tree swallows and bluebirds will "share" space if there are two boxes. Swallows won't let another swallow pair nest nearby but will leave the bluebirds if they want the other house. I think what I read (on Audubon site or somewhere) was to put the two boxes about 10-15 feet apart. I know that's not what you do if you want actual bluebirds to use them both, but we were hoping to keep a pair of bluebirds in the one if the swallows returned this year (those swallows are GORGEOUS birds, too!)
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kendra2003
15 years ago
Because of the bark strips used, I'm also guessing Nuthatch.
crcst
15 years ago
Lucky you to have a nuthatch nesting.Enjoy......Jane
hbwright
Original Author
15 years ago
Yes, it is all bark really. The only other bird I thought could be possible was a Carolina Wren but I don't think so.

We moved the house today after much though. We were at a loss what to do. The house has broken wood on the bottom, don't know how this happened but it was leaning where it was attached to the pole. I'm afraid it would not have made it safely with the birds inside. So, we made the decision to move the house gently to an area where it will have support, about 10-12 feet directly behind the pole, and pray. We have not gone out there today hoping that with piece and quite momma will not mind the move and brave coming back. We had no clue what else to do and felt this was the safest thing to give them a chance.

At first I thought it was kind of silly that this bird was bring mulch into the house until I checked again and noticed the 6 eggs.

Hopefully I'll get some pictures.
bandjzmom
15 years ago
Wow!! How cool is that? Lucky you indeed!!! I found this page on the nest of the White breasted Nuthatch. Maybe it will be helpful. http://www.sialis.org/nestwbnu.htm
hbwright
Original Author
15 years ago
I have positively IDd the brown-headed nuthatch going INTO the house. Woohoo. I also now see the male about too. I don't like the location of the house but better than them falling out the bottom and I'm very relieved that mom is still going into the house after moving it. And, I should have pleanty of time to watch them fledge and clean out for my BBs.

Thanks for your help in the ID. I'm very impressed you were right-on with just the nest and eggs. I knew I could depend on the bird forum.
bandjzmom
15 years ago
YAY!!!! Wow, I would be so excited to have a nesting Nuthatch. I have never had the privilege. I used to get a lot of the Brown-headed Nuthatches when I lived further south. Here,I seem to see mostly the White-breasted. Congratulations to you!!
hbwright
Original Author
15 years ago
Well they are getting more comfortable so hopefully I'll have a picture to share very soon. Yesterday was the first time I could actually see the parents and today they are letting themselves become more visible so I may try the camera in the next day or 2.
gldno1
15 years ago
How exciting. I hope you get more pictures for us to enjoy.

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