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Abandoned Babies?

16 years ago

We have lovingly watched as our bluebird parents have fed and devoted themselves wholeheartedly to their brood. We knew they would be fledging at any time. I was pretty sure it would be today when I saw the activity this morning. Hubby and I had to be away all day. He came home at 3 pm and said the male parent was at the box. When I got here at 3:30 it appeared that the box was empty, but one lone baby began a little while later with a lonely chirp over and over. I could hear an answer in the distance, but could see no parents anywhere. Eventually, the baby that had been answering the call in the distance returned to the roof of the box and has sat there looking all around for it's parents. The baby in the box is chirping too. Have the parents just left them alone, perhaps tending to the others who fledged today? I can't imagine that they wouldn't come back for these two.

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Comments (4)

lisa11310
16 years ago
They can count their babies. They know where they are. Some babies are not strong enough to leave and may take another day. The parents know where they are. I had one last year that took a full 2 days before he could fly away after his sister. It is heartbreaking to think they have been left, but unless they are not going to be able to fledge the parents will be back for them. Come back and let us know, we can give emergency directions if need be.
blumz
Original Author
16 years ago
Here's "the rest of the story." Last evening, just before dark I decided to put a few meal worms in the feeder tray, and I also dropped two into the box. I thought at least the one in the box, and the one that appeared to be lost and hanging around, could have something to eat. We left the outside lights on but never did see if there was any activity.

Very early this morning The male parent appeared at the box with food for the bird. He looked in but didn't enter, then flew off still with the food. Later he came back and looked again. I put worms in the feeder tray and he gathered them all and flew off with them, came back for more 3 times bringing the female the 3rd time. Neither of them looked in the box again.

I carefully opened the box and found it empty, except for one of the meal worms I had put in last night ... AND, to my surprise a few small black beetles, some alive and some dead. I've never found beetles in the box after the birds have fledged. Did these develop from uneaten meal worms?

Another question ... the nest made of pine needles is in really bad shape, falling apart. Should I clean it out so the birds can construct a new nest for their next brood? I've heard pros and cons about this, but it is crumbling badly.
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lisa11310
16 years ago
Congrats! All your babies fledged! YEA! Yes clean out the box. Scrub it down and rinse well then leave it open in the sun to dry. Have you been to the www.sialis.org web site? If not it is a great place to learn all about the Blues and other cavity nesters.
blumz
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, Lisa. Do you have an explanation for the beetles in the nest?

Also, that last baby apparently fledged without parent's knowledge, as he returned to feed it this morning only to discover it gone. Do you think they'll find each other?

I have been to sialis site in the past, but have not visited this year yet. I need to pay them a visit.

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