skip to main content

Bluebirds

14 years ago

Today is a sad day - I just found my three bluebird babies and the male dead in their box. The babies were very close to fledging and at first I thought they had gone, but peeking in the hole yesterday, I saw feathers. Seeing the same feathers today in the same position, I opened the door and saw that the male's wing was what I was seeing. Their little bodies didn't appear damaged, but their eyes were missing. I feel that is just because they had been dead a day and the eyes had sunk. No bones appeared broken. There was however a large amount of feces all over the inside of the house. I got the feeling there was some kind of struggle as the males wing was bent back up one wall of the house. There is no sign of the female. Could some animal have tried to get them and they were frightened to death? I know I can't bring them back, but would like to take precautions for the future. The house was mounted on a bluebird pole in the middle of my backyard.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

dzyg
14 years ago
So sorry to hear of the loss of your Blues. It sounds like it could have been a House Sparrow. Were the males eyes gone as well, was the head pecked at all? A House Sparrow will trap birds in the nestbox and peck them to death. Did you have a sparrow spooker up at all?

Donna
alie_gardener
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Donna. Yes, the males eyes were gone, but the head feathers didn't seem disturbed and there was no dried blood. No, I didn't have a sparrow spooker. Is this something you can get at a store like Wild Birds Unlimited? There certainly are sparrows in my yard - the obvious bullies have been a mockingbird pair with a nest in the neighboring yard who have been very clever at stealing mealworms from a caged feeder and who pummel the adult blues when they try to get their worms. Very sad...
Related Discussions
sudden death of our baby bluebirds
Q
Comments (24)
Caye61542, so so sorry that you lost your baby blues from those nasty HOSP's. Never never let them nest in your bird houses. Always put up a sparrow spooker after 1st egg has been laid by bluebirds or any others that may nest with you. If you're not familiar with spooker, there is plenty of info online. Most people make theirs, but I bought mine. Make sure you remove it after babies fledge, so HOSP's don't get accustomed to it. They are really effective, but not always. The other thing that's critical when you have a HOSP problem is to get a Van Ert Trap installed inside your bluebird house (can order online & very easy to install). You can only use this when no birds are nesting. It can be removed during this time. What happens is when the HOSP enters, it sets the trap off & covers up the hole. Then, you have to get a big bag (I have large laundry bag with drawstring so I can see the bird & make sure it was a HOSP that I caught) & put all the way around house & open door for HOSP to escape. They will come out quickly, so make sure they don't escape. It's key to monitor hourly when you use this trap because you could trap bluebirds or other native birds as well & don't want them to die in box. You will then need to dispose of HOSP & try to trap the mate as well. I know some people don't want to dispose of them, but how else are you going to keep them from killing your bluebirds? There are humane ways to do it. The Sialis site outlines the entire process for you & gives other tips on how to control HOSP's. It's a personal choice, but definitely invest in a sparrow spooker. People that have serious HOSP problems trap multiples in a repeating trap that they use a decoy & millet to get them trapped. I'd be getting rid of that nasty HOSP that killed your babies! Best of luck! Nicole
...See More
Bluebird nest entirely gone from Box!
Q
Comments (1)
It has happened to us too! Very puzzling!
...See More
Missing bluebird female
Q
Comments (0)
We have fledglings - probably by the end of the week theyll be flying out and all of a sudden mom has disappeared. Dad of this pair has always been more visible and seems to take on a lot of the feeding role more than mom who seems to spend a lot of time hiding in a back tree in the yard. Do female bluebirds ever abandon fledglings and a mate or could she have fallen victim to something?
...See More
Our Bluebird setup
Q
Comments (1)
That’s great that it seems to be working! I know there are bluebirds in my area, but I have never seen one. Lucky you !
...See More
dzyg
14 years ago
If you have House Sparrows in your yard I would say that is what happened. Below is a link to the sparrow spookers, they are to be put up after the first egg is laid and most of the time will keep the House Sparrows away. You can also get van ert inbox traps (you can find a a link on the sialis site also)to trap and dispose of the house sparrows. It is a must if you want to host native cavity nesting birds and you have House Sparrows. Good luck.

Donna

Here is a link that might be useful: Sparrow spooker
alie_gardener
Original Author
14 years ago
Hi again Donna,

Thanks for the link! I have been out of town, but when I returned there was the start of a soft grassy nest like the blues build. Today, the box is filled almost to the top with sticks on top of the grass nest. Looks like I have a competing species of birds. I'm online now to find out what kind of bird builds this type of nest. If it is a sparrow, I guess it's best to remove it. I'm sure they'll rebuild though. Can you put the sparrow spooker up to help with this or is it only after eggs are laid? Thanks.
ken3592
14 years ago
Alie, to me it sounds like the work of a house wren. Sparrows do not use twigs to build there nests, however wrens do (they use ONLY twigs). It could be a dummy nest that the wrens built on top of a blue's nest. If removing the nest doesn't work, you may have to relocate the box, as house wrens can be very persistent.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES How to Bring the Joy of Bluebirds to Your Garden

By Habitat Network

Attract these beautiful songbirds with nesting habitat and food sources, including berry-producing trees and shrubs

FALL GARDENING 7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: California Hilltop Home Inspires Artistry

By Shelley Gardea - Flea Market Sunday

A desk made of airplane parts, a mirror sporting fluff ... unusual touches help turn a neglected house into a creative home and studio

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Backyard Birds: Those Nutty Nuthatches

By Habitat Network

The North American songbirds, which often perch upside down, make themselves known in the winter landscape

Are Butterflies the New Birds?

By Samantha Schoech

Let these pretty winged creatures be the new totem of hip décor

GARDENING FOR BIRDS What to Know About Birds Nesting in Your Yard

By Mitchell Parker

Learn how to observe, record data and help ornithologists with NestWatch’s citizen science project understand bird trends

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Wild Birds Transform a Woman’s Garden and Life

By Mary Jo Bowling

How Sharon Sorenson created a wildlife haven and became the Bird Lady of Southern Indiana

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES A Quick-Start Guide to Bird-Watching for Fun and Learning

By Alison Hodgson

Set out some seed and grab your field guide. Bird-watching is an easy, entertaining and educational activity for the whole family

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Out in the Yard: Creating an Art-Inspired Garden

By Erin Lang Norris

Add Interest and Character to Your Landscape With an Unexpected Eye-Catcher

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Be a Citizen Scientist to Help Wildlife, Learn and Have Fun Too

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Track butterflies, study birds, capture stars ... when you aid monitoring efforts, you’re lending Mother Nature a hand

Sponsored

NME Builders LLC

2 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, OH

More Discussions

Bluebirds never leave North Texas boxes.

0